Magnetic oil drain plug

[762mm]

Hey all,

I've bought this off ebay yesterday ($8, why not), and was wondering if anyone is using it already... It says it uses a super strong earth magnet that can lift a wrench... If anyone has tried it, does it actually make a diffrence and trap metal particles in oil as advertised?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sid=m37&satitle=170153977096&category0=&fvi=1

Another question I was asking myself was whether or not it is safe... Considering that the plug is most likely another fine example of Chinese manufacture (as in "no liability when things go bad"), have there been cases where the little magnets would detach and start flying around the pan? I'd rather be safe than sorry before I stick it in there... Thanks in advance for any info...

 

[briwayjones]

If it is indeed a super strong earth magnet which are Neodymium it won't come off of the plug even if it's not glued on there or something. You would not be able to pull it off of whatever it was stuck to, you would have to slide it off. Actually anyone could just order a Neodymium magnet, stick it to the end of the drain plug and have a magnetic plug.

 

[VoltsAndBolts]

Fyi

Neo magnets of that size (although strong for there size) can be pulled off with your fingers. I work with them often as a manufacturing engineer. If the magnet is not pressed into a hole in the end of the plug it should at a minimum be bonded in place with an epoxy that can resist the oil and its heat. This type of magnet is brittle and can be pulverized if struck with a hammer.

If the magnet were to come off of the plug it would most likely 1)stick in the pan. 2) on the block. Or worse find a low clearance area and be crushed by the crank. I think the likelihood of this is small. (ref: “Murphy’s Law” Stick to the dip stick and block it’s opening when you pull it out)

I would just stick a larger Neo magnet (3/8” to ½” DIA) on the out side of the drain plug, magnetizing it. Don’t forget portions of you engine are made of Aluminum and non magnetic, those particles will continue to swirl around in the oil until they settle out or reach the filter.

 

[briwayjones]

Neo magnets of that size (although strong for there size) can be pulled off with your fingers.

What grade do you work with?

I would just stick a larger Neo magnet (3/8” to ½” DIA) on the out side of the drain plug, magnetizing it.

That is a good point. You could also just stick one on the bottom (outside, head) of the drain plug also.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I have magnetic drain plugs on my engine, transmission, and differential.

 

[VoltsAndBolts]

This is a good sorce for cheap Neo's

http://www.forcefieldmagnets.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23_37

 

[762mm]

I would just stick a larger Neo magnet (3/8” to ½” DIA) on the out side of the drain plug, magnetizing it. Don’t forget portions of you engine are made of Aluminum and non magnetic, those particles will continue to swirl around in the oil until they settle out or reach the filter.

Yup, that's a good idea... Personally, I thought I'd be a better idea to buy one larger earth magnet and stick it to the bottom of the engine oil filter instead... They sell a gizmo like that at a store called Canadian Tire up here, and it's like 30$ + tax, but all it is is a large magnet with a plastic coat over it that you stick on the bottom of oil filters. Then, when you change the filter, the metal particles are discraded along with it. No mess...

I was planning on doing that anyway, but I wanted the plug to trap some stuff too, as every little bit helps. I'll test the ebay plug for "integrity" once it arrives, and if I can feel anything fishy about it, it will become a refrigerator ornament instead, lol... Thanks everyone for your input.