Using a magnet to protect your engine

[annie]

We all know metal particles being circulated in the oil are not good for engines.

Engine sump plugs rarely have a magnetic pick up (transmissions do) and rely solely on the engine oil filter to capture any metallic particles that end up in the oil.

I'm not taking any credit for this or responsibility so it will be interesting to hear your thoughts.

A friend of mine always had high metal counts on his twin Detroit diesels when he sent samples away for analysis.
He simply attached a magnet to each oil filter head and the next analysis he had done found the metal count had dropped to nil.
You can buy Rare earth magnets (strongest available) on e-bay for next to nothing. I have fitted them to my volvo's and my cars.
Fitting them to the end of the oil filter is the best option as it captures the metal in a place you can cut open and inspect or in the cars case (cartridges) remove the filter cover and clean.
They sit nicely on the steel filter cases on the boat but I had to use clear silicone to glue the magnet to the cover on the car as its all alloy/plastic.
When you change filters just pull off the magnet and fit to the new filter.
I do know having a magnetized crank from mag particle inspection is a sure fire way to kill that crank so surely trapping metallic particles in the filter has to help these engines in the long run?
I'll follow up with photos next oil/filter change.

Thoughts?

 

[Paladin]

Sounds like a good idea. I have seen them on oil drain plugs before, and they do seem to catch stuff..

 

[matthewmiller01]

Oil flow path... From the inside (middle of the filter) out (to the edge) or the outside in? That would be my only question before installing.

 

[annie]

I think most are outside - in.
Maybe stick the magnet to the side of your filter?
Im going to cut mine open in 40 engine hours and have a nosey.....

 

[matthewmiller01]

I think most are outside - in.

Just what I was thinking. I'd have to figure that out for sure before install.

 

[annie]

I hadn't seen a rare earth magnet before... I used 25mm Diameter x 3mm thick and they are so strong I'd say anywhere on the filter would trap the nasties inside.

 

[kkalsch]

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Performa..._s=383&t_pt=7524&t_pl=101033&t_pn=fmgra300&gp

 

[dpmulvey]

Not uncommon and yes they work. I had a magnetic drain plug on my 1969 VW Bug for years. I was amazed at how much crap it trapped. You can buy loose magnets on eBay for next to nothing. You can tear into an old hard drive. IPD (volvo aftermarket folks) have one that is shaped to the oil filter for $12.

 

[moparlvr4406]

an old core starter has a helluva set of magnets
and they are curved in shape too :wink:

 

[MasterFab]

They've been selling these for years......it's called a filtermag.

http://www.shopfiltermag.com/

Dale

 

[electricaldoctor]

These are rather pricey. There has to be a more cost effective solution for this that will work just as well.

 

[annie]

Hi electricaldoctor, Yes there is...... E.bay and search for "rare earth magnets" or your local craft and hobby shop?

 

[Gofirstclass]

I think that's a good idea, but it would lead to misleading results for those of us who have our oil analyzed on a regular basis. The reason to do regular oil analysis is to spot trends, as indicated by increasing levels of specific metals in the oil. If you had a steel part wearing prematurely and the particles were trapped by the magnets they would not be detected in the analysis and the premature wear would not be noted.