Has anyone tried one of these oil filter magnets >
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...3%26ps%3D5#shId

Or a similar product?

I am thinking of jumping in and try it.

I usually have an old speaker laying around, and I destroy it for the magnet. That's what I use.

I placed the magnet(s) at the bottom of the oil pan where the metal will drop to first. This will stop any metal from traveling through the oil pump before it gets trapped by the filter or magnet attached to the filter. When I change the oil I simple remove the magnet(s) and the metal particals can come out with the oil.
HTH

I would say that if you want to try something like that go out and get a good rare earth magnet - much stronger than your ordinary magnet so attracts metal better and much less likely to fall off the filter:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...t=1,42363,42348

Stupid question of the day: Would aluminum shavings even stick to the magnet?

Of course the wouldn't. Also there's other metals present also that are filtered by the filter.

As cheap as magnets are, don't you think that if auto manufacturers believed they were necessary, that you would see them in all vehicles?

Just think about it. Hyundai says your vehilce engine will hold up for 100,000 miles. That is a lot of mileage. They don't think a magnet would help so why would we need it as an after market add on.

Your piston rings are just about the only thing that is steel in your engine which has a chance of doing any damage. When is the last time you had a piston ring disintegrate on a modern engine? Besides, if a piston ring does go south, your magnet is not going to save the engine.

The oil filter is what is going to catch those pesky metal particles and the chances are they will be made of aluminum.

If it makes you feel better to add a magnet, go for it. I wouldn't bother.

David <><

Thanks for all the replies. Yesterday afternoon I ordered 8 pieces 1" dia. x 1/8" thick rare earth magnets.
I know your all asking why 8 pieces well minimum order has to be over $5.00 + shipping I paid $12.04
I only need 3 magnets and I figured the other 5 I can hand out to my co-workers in our lab.

Purchased here > http://www.magnet4sale.com/On-Sale-Neodymi...th-Magnets.html

The oil pan idea may become a problen after a while oil pan metal itself will magnetize and when you remove the magnet the metal filings will be left magnetized to the inside of oil pan.
When I do my next oil change I will report back with my findings.

Actually, that's not true. There's lots of steel parts that are wearing like the bearings, cams, and valves. It is true that the filter is trapping most of these particles. The magnet traps particles which are too small for the filter. It probably doesn't matter all that much. But if you keep a magnet on your filter, then cut the filter open to see what is trapped, you'll be surprised how much is trapped. A magnet will certainly not hurt anything.

If your engine has metal to metal contact and is generating metal shavings, the life of your engine is going to measured in seconds.

I am no tirbologist, but I do know that all auto engine lubrication points operate on "thin-film lubrication". That is, microscopically, there is a thin film of lubricating oil between bearing surfaces. This applies regardless of whether it is plain bearing, ball bearing or sleeve bearing. Or whether the oil is pressure fed or via splash lubrication. The mating bearing surfaces never actually touch each other. The frictional heat generated by the moving parts actually comes from shearing of these thin flims of oil - again, not by physical contact.

The magnet trick is an old one. Some auto mfr do emply magnets too, but typically in places like manual tranny drain plugs, whose gear oils don't normally have filters or require scheduled fluid change. Applied to the engine crankcase, the value is somewhat dubious. Can't possibly hurt though.

Sp slap on that neodynium if it helps you sleep better at night. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif) One time I got a couple of pieces I broke out of an old computer hard drive. You so much as to get them stuck face to face, it took an Act of Congress to pry 'em apart.

Received magnets today all i can say wow magnet is super strong. Prying from the filter may require a hammer and chisel.
Hope they don't pull off the rings or even the crankshaft out of place. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

David ~
I've read a lot of your posts and have tremendous respect for your knowledge and what you've contributed, but I wanted to throw this out to you, based upon the comment I quoted above...

While the block in this engine is cast aluminum, as may be the heads, what about the crank, cam shaft, main bearings, cylinder sleeves, wrist pins, valve guides, rod bearings...etc.? These are certainly not aluminum and could potentially produce shavings that could stick to a magnet.

Not trying to be an a**, just my $.02, in an effort to share knowledge! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

(some manufacturers had magnetic drain plugs - my Infinity I30 did, so there must be some merit, somewhere. regardless, what could it hurt?) Again, just my $.02.

IMO the benefit would be negligible, if you do the scheduled maintenance.

Back in the day, when you had to drop the pan and change the filter, a/t's had a magnet in the pan. So the only advantage I see is extended oil/filter change intervals.