What do you guys think of this? RoadRage might be the guy with an opinion on this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

The claim is

Attract Small Metal Particles From Within The Oil thus keep the oil clean and prolong the life of the engine...

I dont see how it would damage anything but interested in finding out whether it would do any good or not...

Scrb

 

I have heard of those, I think it was in auto class. I think some filters may have em built in, but I am not sure.

 

i HAVE EXPERIENCE ON THESE IN THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY WHERE THEY ARE USED ON LARGE AXLE GEARBOXES.. THEY DO WORK ALTHOUGH THE RAILROAD GEARBOX OIL DOES NOT GO THROUGH A FILTER AND THE OIL DOES NOT EXPERIENCE THE CONTAMINATION FROM FUELS, ANTIFREEZE, CARBON, ETC THAT COMBUSTION ENGINES DO.

 

I was just considering it myself as well, glad u posted the question

 

It worked well on an old cast block engine. Remember our cars are aluminum block and aluminum particles are not attracted by a magnet!!!!

 

Like brooklynbob, I too have seen them used in the rail industry, we have them on our light rail vehicles. During inspections and oil changes gives one more indication of what the condition of the internals are. In our case it is just the gearbox that is affected-----shavings and sometimes gear teeth. Wouldn't hurt to install them in our TL's.

 

So I am guessing it would not be a bad $17 investment

 

uhm, why dont you just buy a magnet and put it next to the drain plug?

 

Here in dairy land, we used to put magnets inside of our cows. That way if they accidentally eat any bits of wire or nails, it sticks to the magnet and doesn't pass through their system. Same principle.

I kid you not.

 

If I remember correctly, my 88 Legend had a magnetic drain plug for the transmission.

 

If I remember correctly, my 1954 Holstein had a magnet in her stomach.
j/k Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

Have seen the oil filter magnet clip on for years. JC Whitney has had them since the 1950's..Not sure how effective they are .

The best bet is to change the oil and filter on a regular basis.

 

Not a bad idea, not sure if its worth the $17 or so bucks though.

 

What he said,

 

Yah, the block is aluminum(alloy I think), but what about the crank and other inner powertrain parts?

 

everything is made using a new Honda alloy, no steel at all in the motor. the same engineers who put some bogus oil additive in the motor are the same folks who made the new alloy.

 

 

My uncle had one of those. Man, what a sweet ride!

 

I don't buy that they do anything to reduce wear - what they do is act as "tattle-tales". That is, most of the time you will see a small, extremely fine glob of metal, looking like black sludge. If you rub it between your fingers, you will barely feel any abrasion. These pieces are so small they they just pass through the filter - if they do that, they are harmless.

However, if you see chard of metal, that should inidcate that something is about to, or may already have, been damaged or about to fail. It might allow a repair before an engine failure.

As others have said, it will only show metal that can be magnetized - so copper from bearings and aluminum will not show. That is why oil analysis is a much better diagnostic tool, but like an enema for a dead person, an oil magnetic drain plug "may not help, but it won't hurt".

I do use one on my TL - I bought it from

http://www.magneticdrainplugs.com/metric.htm

their service has always been great. I also use the gaskets that have a rubber insert and a steel outer ring - they are re-useable and last a very long time - just do not over-tighten (I do it by feel, but around 18 #'s should do it).

RR.

 

This is completely untrue - what do you think the rings are made of? Chrome plated steel. How about the camshaft? The followers? These are high wear items.

The crank is also of course steel.

 

of course it's not true. just trying to get these nuggets to think about why they would decide to install a magnetic drain plug. if they didn't know there is a boat load of ferrous parts in the motor then they should not be worrying about a magnetic drain plug.

 

You have lost me somewhere RS.

I must be dense, but have found that direct statements of people's thoughts are most effective....

 

ok, read what this nugget says

 

not dense, just another year older next week.....