ECS Tuning Magnetic Oil Sump Plugs

[Manaz]

I do magnetic sump plugs as well, for $30 posted. They have a very strong and much longer magnet.

Mine are ECS (so a known brand in the community, you didn't mention what yours are), and are < $14 inc postage, not $30. I'm just getting rid of some old stuff I have lying around (yes, I had 20+ of these, due to an order screwup a while ago). I don't for the < $14 I charge, offer the same level of support as I suspect you offer for the $30 you charge.

If it doesn't have to have ECS on the end there are heaps on ebay starting at $3.59 posted from HK or $8.95 from a local vendor. The thread is M14x1.5.

You'll achieve a similar result putting a rare earth magnet on the side of the oil filter.

Yes, there are cheaper ones out there, but I'm pretty well known here, ECS are well known here, mine come with 10 crush washers (most others only come with one), I send quickly and locally within Australia, although the listing says returns not accepted, if something goes wrong I'll try to help. That said, I've never seen an issue with these (the most likely issue is that people have been known to over-torque these and damage them - and that's a ham-fisted mechanic issue, not a product issue).

On that note: I have another 5 for sale:

ECS Tuning Magnetic OIL Drain Plug Suits VW Golf AND Others M14X1 5 Thread | eBay

[brad]

Unless that magnet would be a permanent fitment, I'd be very cautious doing it.

you leave the magnet on until the filter is removed, then you put the magnet on the next filter.

Except on a new engine, how much ferrous metal will a magnet pull in if the engine isn't self-destructing? Not much from my experience.

[Manaz]

There shouldn't be much once an engine has "run in", absolutely. That said, it'd only take one piece that chips off to be held by the magnet and not end up scoring a bore, etc, for the relatively low cost to be absolutely worth it.

I ran mine for the piece of mind. I'd run one now on my Liberty, but I have a Fumoto oil tape instead.

[Transporter]

you leave the magnet on until the filter is removed, then you put the magnet on the next filter.

Except on a new engine, how much ferrous metal will a magnet pull in if the engine isn't self-destructing? Not much from my experience.

If somehow the magnet would come of the filter, then what ever was caught on it, is now magnetic and it goes straight downstream to the oil pump. For that reason the magnet at the sump plug is much better option.

[brad]

If somehow the magnet would come of the filter, then what ever was caught on it, is now magnetic and it goes straight downstream to the oil pump. For that reason the magnet at the sump plug is much better option.

It's a rare earth magnet. They stick like poo on your shoe.

Also, there's this weird thing called filter paper that the particles have to get through before you get to the oil pump.

I used to deal with full iron engines all the time. Many of them came standard with a magnet in the sump plug - they didn't have a lot on them after the 3rd service at 10,000km so unless you fit the magnet from day1 (or the engine is self-destructing) then the magnet (no matter where it's fitted) doesn't achieve much.

[Transporter]

It's a rare earth magnet. They stick like poo on your shoe.

Also, there's this weird thing called filter paper that the particles have to get through before you get to the oil pump.

I used to deal with full iron engines all the time. Many of them came standard with a magnet in the sump plug - they didn't have a lot on them after the 3rd service at 10,000km so unless you fit the magnet from day1 (or the engine is self-destructing) then the magnet (no matter where it's fitted) doesn't achieve much.

What happens when the oil filter is in bypass?

Here you go Brad, this will explain it to you.

Oh, and I've seen the magnets tied up to a plastic oil filter caps, too.

[brad]

Many engines incl. TSI engines have the oil filter cap made from this weird think called plastic.

Hmm? Didn't have a lot on them, doesn't mean that after the first 10,000km engines stop wearing down.

Obviously if the oil filter housing was made of plastic then the magnet wouldn't stick to it and therefore trying to make a magnet stay there would be a pointless excercise. One would seek an alternative method.

No, you are right, it doesn't mean the engine stopped wearing at 10,000km and I didn't suggest that was the case but 95% of the iron filings come out in the first 10,000km (which back then would be an oil change at 1,000km; 5000km & 10,000km). After that it was pretty quiet.

If the oil filter is in bipass then it's probably blocked, which means it's been on there too long anyway & you probably aren't that concerned about a few particles going through the engine.

If you don't agree with me, fair enough, you've stated your case. I was offering some alternatives to another forum member. I did not state that an ECS magnetic sump plug was a bad idea - I just said there were other options.

[Catfish]

I've had ECS magnetic sump and gearbox drain plugs in from day one. Did the first oil and filter change after driving home from the dealer, then at 5k intervals. Put Redline in the gearbox at 1k.

For what it's worth, the sump plug has picked up nothing in 5 oil changes, but the gearbox plug definitely has "whiskers" on it after a few thousand ks.

[Transporter]

I have a bit different experience with mine, there are always some iron particles caught on the long magnet body. Maybe because they're much bigger and stronger then other magnetic sump plugs. Also the long shiny surface shows up any early signs of sludge or varnish forming.