oil filter

[onya]

I was wondering, if I placed a manget from a old radio speaker about 75mm Dia underneath the oil filter would this trap the particles of steel, so when I do my oil change the magnet will go onto the next filter. Yes/NO. I think it's a good idea, but what else could I write.;35;35;35;35;35 Replies are welcomed.

[MADLT1]

i have one on my car,wether it works or not i do not know,it was in a goodys bag at one of the car shows i attended,so ,i would say yes they do work,simply because there on the market;42

[daniel42au]

Well Onya and MADLT1, 'Free' sure beats the $US 49.99 I paid to Mid America for their magnet.... to do the same trick....

BUT the logic sure works... metal fillings are attracted to magnets and if you can catch them before they can go around again then that has got to be good.

If not then I still feel good because I have done all I can to defeat physics.

Actually I also use their magnetic drain plug for $9.99 but then when I get older I am going to start wearing a copper bracelet too.... :-)

So what is the consensus of the forum, are we indulging in 'Snake Oil' or do magnets actually work?

[Vette Obsessed]

I don't see the point. ;42

Of all the miles I've done in all sorts of conditions in all the cars I've owned my oil filter in conjunction with scheduled oil and filter changes has done a good enough job without needing a magnet for added protection/filtration.

Personally, I consider them on par with snake oil.  I respect your choice if you use one, but I wouldn't bother. ;42

[onya]

I change my oil and filter quite often, more often than needed, but I still like the thought of the magnet giving the extra protection. I have seen a lot of drivers, what ever they drive giving their cars a hard time and all those metal parts must come under some stress, weather it be a V8 or rice burner. Once the metal fillings get into the big ends and mains , lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ out the window.
The price of an old speaker magnet (nothing) compared to a rebuild.

[Vette Obsessed]

Originally posted by onya
I change my oil and filter quite often, more often than needed, but I still like the thought of the magnet giving the extra protection. I have seen a lot of drivers, what ever they drive giving their cars a hard time and all those metal parts must come under some stress, weather it be a V8 or rice burner. Once the metal fillings get into the big ends and mains , lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ out the window.
The price of an old speaker magnet (nothing) compared to a rebuild.

All good, I totally see where you are coming from. ;42

As stated before in this thread, a speaker magnet is a cheaper option to the specialised magnet sold for this application (or the $55 magnetised drain plugs I can buy for my Honda to do the same job).

[87Z51]

Yes ,it will work.

Problem is, if  you have enough metal in your oil for the magnet to be worthwhile you probably have problems that a magnet is not going to fix.

I would suspect the sump is a better place to catch metal before it gets circulated through the engine.

On a healthy engine regular oil changes should be enough.

[onya]

What you say is true, but having the magnet under the sump does not work as well, when you change the oil not all the sediment will come out, but if you have a magnet under the filter it stays in the filter. As I said before I change my oil more that most people do, but it's extra protection.

[77CVT]

Originally posted by 87Z51
Yes ,it will work.

Problem is, if  you have enough metal in your oil for the magnet to be worthwhile you probably have problems that a magnet is not going to fix. ........

On a healthy engine regular oil changes should be enough.

;51

If it makes you feel better then do it!  Nothing wrong with a magnet here and there but regular oil changes and a GOOD filter will keep your baby running for a long time.

[Panther]

Pete, I use one on all my cars, have done for years, on the filter

[gtc]

I guess if it's having any effect then the evidence will be a collection of metal filings inside the filter opposite the magnet.

Has anyone using a magnet cut their replaced filter open to check?

[MADLT1]

dont think of it as metal fileings,like when your grinding something in the garage,the metal wear inside the engine turns into a paste,mixed in whith the oil.:24

[gtc]

Yeah, like what you find on the magnetic sump plugs.

[ettev87]

It all sounds good. BUT!! Engine bearings are white metal? Is this magnetic? I think not? Very happy to stand corrected????

If the oil filter is doing it's job, it will trap the particles [magnetic or otherwise].

I'm sure the oil changes in "cruisers" or "racers" are changed well before the handbook recommendation!