[LT1xL82]

There have been several posts showing magnets being placed on the side of oil filters. The theory being they will trap particles from engine wear.

Will they really trap particles that a quality filter will not?

Suppose after using the magnet the filter is cut open and a small amount of trapped particles is found. What would someone actually do with this new found information? If it was shown to a dealerships service writer what would they do other than saying "It looks normal to me!".

 

[Mobius]

There have been several posts showing magnets being placed on the side of oil filters. The theory being they will trap particles from engine wear.

Will they really trap particles that a quality filter will not?

Suppose after using the magnet the filter is cut open and a small amount of trapped particles is found. What would someone actually do with this new found information? If it was shown to a dealerships service writer what would they do other than saying "It looks normal to me!".

As with all aftermarket items, you'll need to decide if you believe the seller's claims.

One thing I can state with certainty is that the FilterMags (which I use on all my vehicles) will not add "13 horsepower".

My experience with them has been very positive, and since they use rare-earth permanent magnets, they will outlive the vehicle and can be used on subsequent vehicles.

There are plenty of FilterMag reviews, and there are many other competing devices.

Most claim to grab steel particles smaller than the filter material can catch - a claim I generally agree with.

Here's a typical review - "FilterMag Review".

 

[Ron Christensen]

IMO, the theory is that "ferrous" particles suspended in your oil can be "pulled from suspension" and there fore minimize the potential for the abrasive wear they may cause. I guess you could show the recovered crud to your service writer but his response would be as you stated. So, the magnet may be of benefit to your engine by reducing the abrasiveness of your oil, and little else. Potential "machining" debris not sufficiently cleaned out at the time of manufacture, rings to cylinder wall wear, valve train component wear, etc. all generate ferrous particulate. The only medium for removing this debris would be the oil filter element material assuming the particulate size is large enough to be trapped by the element. The magnet, again IMO, would augment this "purification process". Maybe it's a waste of money/time, VooDoo, Hocum, whatever, I'm easy. I even feel like my car runs better when it's been washed or waxed.

 

[C7DriverOnt]

I even feel like my car runs better when it's been washed or waxed.

So I'm not alone in that , good to know

 

[eric.snuder]

Wash and waxed car..gain of 13HP!!


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[regguy1]

Do your own test, put one on the filter and when you change it cut it open and see if anything is accumulated in the magnet area.

Fact is that if your engine is generating ground metal it has trouble in the works and 50 magnets won't make it go away.

 

[greggshere]

Mobius turned me onto the Filtermag and I know it can't hurt and probably does help, so it was well worth it to me. Should last the life of the car, so $50 is a cheap investment. The benefits are well documented in the industrial world, mainly hydraulics. Those same benefits should carry over to automotive engines.

 

[Dasyatis]

After the initial break-in period (seating the rings), the majority of the particulate you'll generate inside the engine will be aluminum and/or combustion byproducts (carbon), neither of which will be stopped by a magnet on the filter. Likely a waste of money. If it was an old school all cast iron engine, the magnet might have some small value.

 

[Tuner Boost]

Here is a good detailed explanation of what and where each metal or compound/element detected comes from:

http://www.agatlabs.com/Brochures/Tribology Brochure Print.pdf

Anyone that has pulled a trans pan they all have magnets in them (in addition to the filter) and always have a good amount of steel/iron fine "dust" accumulated, but that is due to wear of the clutches and steels.....but trapping any iron or steel fine particles that the micron size of the filter element will allow to pass through. So IMHO it surely can't hurt, and I am a believer in trapping all wear related/causing particles possible. But an oil filter can only trap particles down to a certain size before it would become to restrictive, so always some content. Aluminum comes from piston skirts, bearings, (and in overhead cam engines the camshaft journal caps as they are the bearing), etc.

 

[J.R]

Most drain plugs are a magnet but if you really want to have the history and know if any internal part is degrading is
go to blackstone-labs website and request they send you for free some test bottles and shippers.

You then put a small amount of used fluid or oil in bottle and mail back to them
They test for a small charge and give you a full report within a few days of their findings and the percentage of any metal what it was
This allows you to know early on if some internal wear is going on or even if the oil your using has too much % of some compound

 

[Mobius]

Most drain plugs are a magnet

Some manufacturers may ship vehicles with magnetic oil drain plugs from the factory, but I've never seen one on any vehicle that I've ever owned (13 cars from various manufacturers and four motorcycles).

The EO 2014 Corvette drain plug is definitely non-magnetic.... I'm holding mine in my hand right now, and not even a small paperclip is attracted to it.

 

[C7 Stuart]

Yhh


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[Texas2Gun]

Wash and waxed car..gain of 13HP!!

I got 13 HP by slapping a Z51 sticker on my non-Z51!

 

[Mobius]

I got 13 HP by slapping a Z51 sticker on my non-Z51!

A few more mods and you'll have a home-made Z06.

Have you "blacked out" your badges? That's good for another 20 HP (I read it in an ad, so it must be true).

 

[Texas2Gun]

A few more mods and you'll have a home-made Z06.

Have you "blacked out" your badges? That's good for another 20 HP (I read it in an ad, so it must be true).

Actually I already have them but waiting to put them on after I do the Glen E detailing on my car. Also "just guessing" I'm getting another 20 HP from the Z06 grille. LOL

 

[smajicek]

I got 13 HP by slapping a Z51 sticker on my non-Z51!

Guys, the MOBIL 1 oil cap label I made on mine added 15 HP, start sending them into me with a $10 check and you will be set

 

[2ndvette]

Some manufacturers may ship vehicles with magnetic oil drain plugs from the factory, but I've never seen one on any vehicle that I've ever owned (13 cars from various manufacturers and four motorcycles).

The EO 2014 Corvette drain plug is definitely non-magnetic.... I'm holding mine in my hand right now, and not even a small paperclip is attracted to it.

I bought a 1990 Beretta which had a magnetic drain plug. I purchased the plugs six at a time and changed them every three or four oil changes. During the following years, GM changed to plugs without a magnet under the same part number and back to a magnet. Some years later, they eliminated the magnet completely. They apparently were experimenting with using the magnets and decided in the end they were no longer beneficial, or perhaps the plugs without the magnets increased the profit margin.

 

[Mack]

It is interesting. We use them on 2 race cars, boat motors, and 3 cars. What I want is nothing on the filter cover. And yes you have to have a filter cutter. Looked like a large can opener. Three or four turns and it is open. It also allows you to look at the filter media for larger problems. We always get very very very fine particulates on the mag side of filter. We have mag plugs on our out drives upper and lower. Those Merc drives MAKE metal. I'll take some photos next time I change anything with a magnet. Here is the Vette. I was told it add 100 hp!?!?!?!? :rapture:

 

[jsvette]

It is interesting. We use them on 2 race cars, boat motors, and 3 cars. What I want is nothing on the filter cover. And yes you have to have a filter cutter. Looked like a large can opener. Three or four turns and it is open. It also allows you to look at the filter media for larger problems. We always get very very very fine particulates on the mag side of filter. We have mag plugs on our out drives upper and lower. Those Merc drives MAKE metal. I'll take some photos next time I change anything with a magnet. Here is the Vette. I was told it add 100 hp!?!?!?!? :rapture: View attachment 39757

Mack, my understanding is it only will add the 100 hp if you are in a vacuum and there is a very large steel door at the end...:tranquillity:

 

[Mack]

Now I understand.