Magnetic Oil Filter Contraptions

[jaybyrd]

O.K. I'm sure some of you have seen these various magnets either dropped inside the oil filter or wrapped around the outside housing, the question is do they really work better than just a regular filter? My thoughts are they are just holding some particulate which would have been caught by the filter anyways, or are these particles so small that they would have passed through the filter and ultimately shortened the engine life? A lot of claims on the net from various manufacturers, what do you think?

[Guardian3]

I think your instinct is right. I've seen some articles about these things and most of them conclude that the magnets are not really doing anything more than what your filter is doing.

[Black02Silverado]

It is my understanding that it's effect is when you get the really big chunks and by then it is too late. I have not seen any long term studies that show it's worth. Does it pick up wear metals? Sure but so does the filter.

[C & A s Dad]

I almost hate to admit it, but I have a Filter Mag. It is a very very strong magnet and the concept makes sense. Does it help? I really cannot say but I am sure it does not hurt. I had only one oil analysis on my truck before I began running the Filter Mag and I have run one analysis since I began using it. Surprisingly the Iron did not drop with the Filter Mag but things like the Lead, Copper, Zinc and magnesium were less with the Filter Mag. I cannot say it did it or not but I was running the same oil, the same oil filter and the oil had almost exactly the same time and mileage on it with both tests.

 

I have cut open the last two filters after removing them and you can definately see a slight grey contamination along the inside of the filter where the Mag was attached. When you wipe your finger through this grey area, it looks somewhat like graphite. Would the filter have caught it anyway? Maybe, I just cannot be sure.

[theelite127]

i actually have purchased the magnets that are on the oil pan bolt for ALL my cars, and maybe every other oilchange has small shavings. it's better than nothing is what I always say. it also sure came in handy when i tapped my oil pan and missed a few shavings, which the magnetic bolt caught.

[xsports33]

I too have the filtermag for my oil filter and my transmission pan and it does work. There is a dense accumulation of wear metals (very fine) where the magnets are situated. is it really making a difference? Don't know, but it makes me feel good about it. Plus, if it's stuck to the walls of the filter or the pan then it's not circulating which is a good thing.

[lost_in_alabama]

i actually have purchased the magnets that are on the oil pan bolt for ALL my cars, and maybe every other oilchange has small shavings. it's better than nothing is what I always say. it also sure came in handy when i tapped my oil pan and missed a few shavings, which the magnetic bolt caught.

 

Most people misunderstand the purpose of the magnetic drain bolt. It is NOT to keep the metal shavings form circulating in the oil. The purpose is to alert you that there are metal shavings in the oil. I suppose a few small metal filings are normal wear and tear. When you start seeing large pieces, or a sudden increase in the amount of metal, then you are made aware that there is something wrong before the massive failure occurs.

[bbb]

The magnets can't be all bad...Gm puts them in all trans pans and the spin-on filter for the allison trans has it on top of the filter.