Magnet and metal shavings in Oil

Message

flw · #1 Post by **flw** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:42 pm

I was on ebay and saw a strange product. It is a magnet that you put on your oil filter to keep any metal shavings from flowing out of the filter after it flows in from the engine.

Any one bother to use such a product? Seems like overkill if you change your oil as you should but thought I'd ask.

Product is at http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki ... ccessories

BuzZz · #2 Post by **BuzZz** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:46 pm

I'd save your money and just change the oil and filter at normal intervals.

The only benefit I can see for something like this is too possibly keep any ferrous particles trapped along the inner wall of the can and out of the filter medium. Under anything like normal circumstances, the filter medium will remove all the particles that are big enough to hurt anything.

But if your engine is shedding enough iron for this to be any help for filter life, you got bigger problems than a clogged filter.

On the other hand, it is not going to hurt anything by being there either.

mydlyfkryzis · #3 Post by **mydlyfkryzis** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:53 pm

Most shavings stay in the oil sump. They don't make it through the oil pump because of the pickup screen.

However, it wouldn't hurt either. Just buy a couple of magnets from a Arts supply. No need to spend too much extra.

s0crates82 · #4 Post by **s0crates82** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:15 am

a popular 'mod' for bmw e36 owners is to buy a oil drain bolt that has a magnet in the end of it, that way all the ferric bits are kept in place and can be wiped off the end of the bolt during scheduled oil changes.

#5 Post by **fireguzzi** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:27 am

s0crates82 wrote:a popular 'mod' for bmw e36 owners is to buy a oil drain bolt that has a magnet in the end of it, that way all the ferric bits are kept in place and can be wiped off the end of the bolt during scheduled oil changes.

I believe it was my Maxim that had that on it stock.

#6 Post by **Wrider** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 4:04 pm

Most quads I work on have that stock (seeing as they don't see oil changes for years at a time usually.)
And a lot of bikes do, as do cars, trucks, etc. I think of it as a good way to keep an eye on what's going on. If a lot of shavings come out you know it's time to start looking for a problem.

#7 Post by **fireguzzi** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 4:22 pm

Yup, all the Polarisis(isissises') had them now that you mention it.

#8 Post by **Wrider** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:23 am

fireguzzi wrote:Yup, all the Polarisis(isissises') had them now that you mention it.

Proper multiple is "Paul Harrises"

But God do I hate those things. Their XP Sportsman series are their best yet, but without them I wouldn't have a steady job.

Ryethil · #9 Post by **Ryethil** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:13 pm

Wrider wrote: Proper multiple is "Paul Harrises"
But God do I hate those things. Their XP Sportsman series are their best yet, but without them I wouldn't have a steady job.

It took me years of hard work to get out of the "BIZ." But now that I'm employed in other area's, I'm glad I have my wrenching skills for fun. That and I don't have to work on every POS that no-nothings bring in and don't want to pay the fair cost to get fixed. Every shop I know has wanted signs for experienced mechanics. But I wish that everyone of the entrants in a mechanics program could spend some time in a working shop, Maybe they would be a bit more introspective about getting started.

Also, if you're that worried about metal shavings, have your used oil analysed for what is actually wearing away. It's not that expensive and it can be an eye opener. Racing groups do it all the time as SOP.