Magnetic Drain Plugs

[Toy4x4runner]

I just changed the oil in my '09 4.0 Toyota and got a bit ticked the factory didn't put a magnetic drain plug in it. So I ordered one today from these guys:

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


Ended up with the 1040SM. Some kind of super magnet. I've always liked having a magnetic drain plug in everything.

 

[George7941]

Magnetic drain plugs are a lot more common in gear boxes and differentials and manufacturers are reluctant to use them in engine oil pans.

I am guessing that they do not want ferrous particles in engine oil magnetized which might lead them to adhere to cranks, camshafts etc and cause damage. I am also guessing that magnetized particles do not present as much of a problem in non-engine applications.

This ia also a commonly cited downside to the magnetic bands which fit around engine oil filters.

 

[tom slick]

how helpful have you found the magnets to be? ever find chunks? what preventative measures have you taken as a result of finding something on the drain plug?

just curious.

 

[Bill in Utah]

My Toyota and Subaru (also my Chevys) all came with Mag plugs.

I took them off and put on quick drains. The oil filter does a much better job than any plug.

Never had enough stuff on a mag plug to worry about.

Take care, bill

PS: Off topic but... Let us know what MPG you get with the truck once it is broken in!

 

[tom slick]

Originally Posted By: George7941
Magnetic drain plugs are a lot more common in gear boxes and differentials and manufacturers are reluctant to use them in engine oil pans.

I am guessing that they do not want ferrous particles in engine oil magnetized which might lead them to adhere to cranks, camshafts etc and cause damage. I am also guessing that magnetized particles do not present as much of a problem in non-engine applications.

This ia also a commonly cited downside to the magnetic bands which fit around engine oil filters.


why would magnetized particles an issue in the engine but not in a transmission or differential?

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: George7941
Magnetic drain plugs are a lot more common in gear boxes and differentials and manufacturers are reluctant to use them in engine oil pans.

I am guessing that they do not want ferrous particles in engine oil magnetized which might lead them to adhere to cranks, camshafts etc and cause damage. I am also guessing that magnetized particles do not present as much of a problem in non-engine applications.



It seems to me that if ferrous particle gets close enough to the magnet to be magnetized that they will be captured.

I agree that they don't do much good except as in indication of how fast your engine is consuming itself.

 

[Toy4x4runner]

Well on my 6.0 Diesel F250 it came stock with a Mag oil plug. You could tell how much [censored] was on it when you did an oil change. after 3 oil changes the amount on the plug was reduced, and I could tell break in was complete. If it's good for a diesel, it'll be good for a Taco.

 

[Silk]

BMC front wheel drive units had a magnetic drain plug - you knew there was a problem on the way when there was a crown wheel tooth or bearing cage on the end of the magnet.

 

[Steve S]

Cranks are anti magnetic .

 

[Toy4x4runner]

Yeah, I'm glad I ordered the "super magnetic" drain plug. Deffinately gives you a heads up. b/c you'll know what normal "wear" is when you wipe it off on a paper towel each time.

 

[tom slick]

have you discovered any early engine issues because of the mag plugs?

 

[oilyriser]

I should, for the sake of science, cut a small hole in my car's air filter, and see if the buildup on the magnet increases dramatically.

 

[Toy4x4runner]

Well, all I know is expensive equipment come stock with them. Diesels, Construction equipment, etc. So if it was good enough for International to put in my 6.0... good enough for my 4.0. Can't hurt that's for sure.

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: Toy4x4runner
I just changed the oil in my '09 4.0 Toyota and got a bit ticked the factory didn't put a magnetic drain plug in it.

Toyota saved a few pennies per vehicle. For them it adds up to a nice 5 or 6 digit figure savings for the production run. The cost/benefit for them wasn't worth it.

Originally Posted By: Toy4x4runner
Well, all I know is expensive equipment come stock with them. Diesels, Construction equipment, etc.

This is fleet equipment where a magnetic drain plug can give early warning of problems with the engine.

Originally Posted By: George7941
... I am guessing that they do not want ferrous particles in engine oil magnetized which might lead them to adhere to cranks, camshafts etc and cause damage. I am also guessing that magnetized particles do not present as much of a problem in non-engine applications...

Guess again, they're used in small aircraft. If enough particles build up on the magnet a sensor trips the warning light letting the pilot know the engine may be disintegrating, and hopefully give him enough time to land before the engine seizes.

 

[Toy4x4runner]

SO I'm not hurting anything by upgrading to a mag plug then.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Guess again, they're used in small aircraft. If enough particles build up on the magnet a sensor trips the warning light letting the pilot know the engine may be disintegrating, and hopefully give him enough time to land before the engine seizes.


Interesting. I guess you are talking about a chip detector? Those would be in turbine engines that I've seen.

Never seen one in a piston engine. I have seen mag plugs in piston engines but they only tell you something is wrong during the oil change. This is why UOAs are used and very important in small aircraft engines.

I've flown quite a few aircraft and only when I was flying a KingAir did I start seeing the chip detectors. Never had such warning systems in the piston twins (Baron, C414, C421 and Model 76 Duchess) or any single engine plane (C172, Archer, Arrow, Dakota, Saratoga, C210, Bonanza and Malibu) that I've been in.

Maybe I'm getting old (ok I am

) but I don't remember any....


Originally Posted By: Toy4x4runner
SO I'm not hurting anything by upgrading to a mag plug then.
No.

But you really are not gaining anything either IMO. Anything damaging in the sump is already damaged and the sump pickup then goes directly into a filter which will catch anything that could damage the engine.

The oil pump can pump pretty large items with no effect to its life.

Take care, Bill

 

[tom slick]

Quote:
Guess again, they're used in small aircraft. If enough particles build up on the magnet a sensor trips the warning light letting the pilot know the engine may be disintegrating, and hopefully give him enough time to land before the engine seizes.


They're used in commercial and military aircraft also. jets/turbines have quite a few mag plugs and sensing mag plugs.

A mag plug certainly doesn't hurt anything but their usefulness in a regular duty engine is questionable. That's why I was asking about the benefits you've witnessed by using them. Someday someone will give me a great account of avoiding certain disaster because they found something on their mag plug.

 

[George7941]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
Originally Posted By: George7941
Magnetic drain plugs are a lot more common in gear boxes and differentials and manufacturers are reluctant to use them in engine oil pans.

I am guessing that they do not want ferrous particles in engine oil magnetized which might lead them to adhere to cranks, camshafts etc and cause damage. I am also guessing that magnetized particles do not present as much of a problem in non-engine applications.

This ia also a commonly cited downside to the magnetic bands which fit around engine oil filters.


why would magnetized particles an issue in the engine but not in a transmission or differential?




Dunno. I was merely hypothesizing, based on the fact that all the diffys I have come across have the magnetic drain plugs in them but not all engines have had them.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Differentials have a mag plug because they don't have filters.

Any chips that get caught on the plug are chips that don't get caught in the gears.

Crude but works....

Bill