Magnetic oil drain plug - any use?

[Towncivilian]

Does this magnetic oil drain plug really have any use? Is it even a Nissan part? Its name and product SKU doesn't look typical, and there's no manufacturer listed.

[m0nkeyprince]

a drain plug is a drain plug, and yea, adding a magnet won't hurt, it will probably help. but i bet the difference isnt a big deal

[Densetsu]

I assume this will collect metallic debris in the oil... but doesn't your oil filter do that anyways?

[Towncivilian]

I've read on BITOG of some putting hard drive magnets or any sufficiently large and powerful magnet on the outside of their oil filter, since oil filters only filter down to a certain micron size. Since I have several hard drive magnets, perhaps I'll slap on a few on the filter during my next oil change and cut open the filter to see the results. Cheaper than paying $13 + shipping for that drain plug from Courtesy Parts, of course. Though I could probably find a similar drain plug at some local auto parts store for $4.

[spurline]

Nissan does not install a magnetic drain plug OEM. I used to see them in the old cars, but have to believe they are cost saving and don't care. I have bought mine from Gold Plug. I think they are a good idea and $10 can't hurt. www.goldplug.com

[Towncivilian]

Here are some photos of the first oil change with my eBay magnetic drain plug:





Just a bunch of smaller particles, which is good. The darker gunk on the shop towel is the stuff wiped off the magnet. No doubt a lot of it would have been caught by the oil filter anyway, but unfiltered oil does reach the oil pump first - so theoretically, having the magnetic drain plug could slightly reduce wear on the oil pump. Is it going to make a large difference, ultimately? Probably not. Though GM may think so, since many of their engines have magnetic oil drain plugs from the factory. A magnetic drain plug also helps gauge how much ferrous wear material an engine is shedding - if for one oil change you have a ton of garbage on it, you may have some further troubles.

Oil used was Valvoline NextGen MaxLife 5W-30 with a Purolator PureONE PL14610 oil filter (also with two hard drive magnets stuck to the exterior of the filter - if I have time to cut it open, I'll post photos). The OCI was 5,049 miles.

[GRNMACHINE]

Town,
Do u have a seller/price for that plug? Looks worth it to me and wouldnt mind replacing the original.

[Towncivilian]

This is the one I bought.

[GRNMACHINE]

Thanks! Was thinking of buying the "ez flow" plug but this looks like a good alternative. The ez flow plug makes me think the outlet may be too small for pariculates etc. On the other hand, I have never done an oil change on the Path without making a mess...

[zach7685]

How concerned should I be?
Car has 197.XXX miles
5-7.5K on synthetic oil 10w30 with two K&N oil filters during that time. (5w30 Regular oil now K&N filter)
Was compression tested and had all kinds of things tested idle issues.

[Slumpert]

My first reaction is "eeekkk".


Anychance a powervalve screw got sucked in or something?

[zach7685]

Ya I'm ignoring till next oil change