[r schipul]

does anyone use oil filter magnets on their vehicles or equipment? About 10 years ago I read a study sponsored by Catepillar and Ford about the effectiveness of these super magnets for decreasing engine wear. The results of the study was amazing and both companies highly recommended their use. I went out and bought enough sets for everything from rototillers to vehicles. I'm thinking of getting some more to replace some that I've lost over the years. Just wondering if anyone else has bothered to give them a try. http://www.home.earthlink.net/~jewel...bandit2000.htm

[Resiscaper]

Just curious...

Do you have any pieces of equipment with a remarkable number of hours, or vehicles with high mileage that you think may be a result of the magnets?

I've read about these things before, but I always thought they looked like a gimmick.

[jwholden]

When I replaced the oil in my rear differential last winter I saw the manufacturer puts a magnet in the pumpkin to grab any metal particles floating around. I was quite suprised at the number of metal filings stuck to the magnet!

[HardDaysKnight]

I never heard of this but it sounds like a great idea.

[Bill Schwab]

One of the best things you can do is to send your oil and anti freeze to a lab to have it tested. By running simple break down tests of oil, they can tell you if a part is deteriorating prematurely if the oil shows high signs of the various metal compounds in the engine.

The magnets will grab the metal, but, unless you know where to look, you won't know what is breaking down until after the engine makes expensive noises.

[PSUscaper]

Don't almost all cars have a magnetic drain plug for the oil, and as I remember, there's a magnet in the bottom of the oil pan on most automatic transmissions also.

It probably is a very good idea......and that is why most manufacturers don't do it to begin with.

[r schipul]

Resiscaper, I can't say I have a large number of hours on anything I own. Just sold a truck with 140,000 miles on it. Engine was still strong but it needed a second injector pump so i sold it.

The study by Cat/ford showed an oil filter cut apart with all the metal debri stuck to the magnets. I did cut my own oil filter apart years ago and they weren't lying. I was amazed at the amount which was caught by the magnets.

Bill, I think the theory behind the magnets is that all components release small metal fragments through normal wear, not just if something is failing. filters catch the larger debri but excessive engine wear is supposedly being caused by the much smaller pieces which are not caught by the filter. I'd be crazy to quote an article I read years ago but it went so far as to say how much more life you would get out of an engine by using these things. It was pretty considerable. At the time, the magnet company was a 1 person startup company and Ford/Cat (both neutral parties)were acting like it was the best thing since sliced bread.

[GLAN]

Originally posted by HardDaysKnight
I never heard of this but it sounds like a great idea.

Ditto

I'd be willing to give them a try

[Lawngodfather]

Auto Tannies, and most rear ends have magnets in them to get any metal debris out of the system.

Engines, if you have enough metal debris in them that acumulate on a magnet, you have a bigger problem.

On a diesel it might be ok, but a gas engine you have a problem with floating metal debris. The first few hours has the most wear though, then would be a good time. After that you shouldn't see any debris.