I ran across this site while surfing. They sell magnetic drain plugs. I assume they have ones for our trucks. Check it out. www.superplug.com

 

You can get a generic one at Advance Auto or Auto Zone for about 2.00 bucks.

 

I have one, and I love it! In reality, it does make sense and it seems like it would help, so yes, I have one. They're really cheap, so I recommend getting one, if nothing else, just to stay on the safe side in case you have grindings in your oil.

 

I have a magnet on my filter housing , when i change the filter i move it to the next filter. The metal stays in the filter not in the pan...Dont have to clean the plug...

 

Some people argue that some of the metal particles can become magnitized and not trapped by the magnet resulting in the particles sticking to the rods and other engine parts. What do you guys think?

 

Spoilsport!

Actually, there's a good argument for that theory, but it would require excessive deposits. If they were close enough to become magnetized, they would be drawn to the magnet unless there were too many deposits on the magnet for them to stick. Bottomline: Change your oil and filter regularly.

Take care,
-Chris

 

It's just a cheap way to have more peace of mind. Any particle large enough to hurt your engine will be held by the oil filter. If it makes you feel better, go for it. It's cheap.

 

'Been using drain plug magnets for years and years -- and they're my best source of comfort with respect to wondering whether internal parts are wearing. I make my own using the magnet from those little pocket screwdrivers that so many vendors give away at trade shows. On the Y2K, I simply pulled one out of the end of a screw driver, drilled an appropriate-sized shallow hole in the drain plug, and staked-in the magnet by using a sharp punch and hammer to make three 'dimples' in the drain plug as close to the magnet as possible.

I usually flush the drain plug lightly in gasoline to de-oil the 'fuzz' that collects on the magnet -- and the resultant amount of (lack of) 'fuzz' helps me feel that the rings are not chewing into the cylinder walls -- and the rocker rollers have not started to self-destruct.

I usually find less than 1/16th of an inch of fuzz on the sharp edges of the magnet -- which is very slight based on experience over the years.

I use one on my '84 Goldwing - where the magnet's value is even greater, since there are transmission gears to generate shavings in the oil.

Now, if only someone could help me find a magnet that will capture rod/main bearing material .

 

I was at the junk yard the other day and they have a magnet that will capture ANY metallic parts, shavings, etc. Say a refrigerator accidentally gets under your hood. That baby will get it out. Loose fillings in your teeth? Don't stand too close.

 

Ha ha... that's funny. LOL.

Actually I think the magnetic drain plug is a better solution than the magnets around the oil filter.

Why do I think so? Well, the oil in the pan is basically just sloshing around a bit. In the filter it's moving at 60mph flow so the chances of some piddly magnet holding it to the inside wall of the filter are pretty slight. Good idea in theory but don't think it works that great in practice.

Going to get a magnetic drain plug for mine.

 

The magnet i was refering to is circular and it covers the filter...

Its only small compared to the size of a tank!!!

Talk about small the pencil lead size stick magnet on a drain plug is going to get over full in a matter of a few miles...

When you take yours out dont you see how much stuff there is on it???Its already overloaded..but its too late...

Put a real magnet on it and quit playing around!!!!

How much oil is circulated passed that pencil magnet compared to the oil filter that turns the oil over about once every two seconds!!!

 

I'm not trying to dis your method of choice. What I'm saying is because the fluid is moving so fast in the filter housing that it may be next to impossible for any magnet to actually hold magnetic particles against the outer wall of the filter. Perhaps a thin layer but anything substantial will likely get washed out of the filter due to the high velocity of the oil.

True, not much of the oil will "flow" past a drain screw magnet.

Perhaps the best solution would be a 1 inch round magnet in a second huge drain plug?

How about fabbing a door in the side portion of the oil pan large enough to stuff a 1 or 2" round magnet in there, something you can seal up and open every 2nd or 3rd oil change and remove the magnet for cleaning?

 

Bottom line. A magnetic drain plug is better than nothing. End of argument.