According to the oil change shop worker most new cars with long oil change intervals use magnetic tipped drain plugs.
So my Accord oil drain plug is 14MM x 1.5 and the mag tipped drain plug is ~$6 at part stores. Cheap if they work.

So has anybody used them and/or checked them for fines to see whether they work in car oil situations. Thanks.



< not seeking info on motorcycle applications, where they are very common >

 

Ive been useing them in cars for 10 to 15 years and they work just fine..

 

Personally I don't see the point. Why? Two main reasons I can think of:

1. It is the filter's job to remove metals and other solids large enough to do any damage to the engine from the oil.
2. Given the light weight alloys modern engines are built from, most metals held in suspension in the oil are non ferrous, and as such, the magnet is worthless.

 

I used one in a previous Saab, but didn't really collect anything on it. That one had an iron block.

 

Only place I see positive benefit of magnetic drain plug is automatic transmission pan where steel clutch material is gradually eroded. Magnet traps this fine material and prevents fluid suction strainer from getting clogged.

good luck

 

Agreed. The filter in a transmission does not filter anywhere near as well as an engine oil filter, that and it seems that practically 100 percent of the material floating about in a tranny is ferrous based.

 

OK, so I put a magnet tipped drain plug in - for engine oil in '92 Accord.

Will report at next oil change whether it shows any sign of picking up fines.

 

It will probably pick up plenty of harmless junk from the bottom of the pan, junk which would have stayed in the bottom of the pan until the rest of the vehicle met its date with the junk yard.

 

forgot that I took a photo before installation.

 

Oil was changed today at shop; there was some residue on magnet tip - not super much, but enough.