Magnetic sump drain plug - do you use one?

biko

Mine (Saab 93) isn't magnetic and as I was chatting to a fella today we discussed whether it's a good idea or not. We both agreed it was better with one than without. Google gives all kinds of results, from snake oil to best invention ever...

My next oil service isn't until winter but I had a look around anyway and came across "oil filter magnets" - seems interesting.
This way I could just buy some really strong magnets and attach them to the filter tomorrow.

Atlantic Dawn

I have one on the gearbox sump nut, I didn't notice any real metalic grit on it when I last changed the oil, a good sign I suppose

Toyotafanboi

Genuinely, i'd be optimistic in the mindset that my engine isnt creating enough metallic filings between oil changes to warrant one of these; and if it was, i'd rather live in ignorance of it tbh.

Would the oil filter not catch such filings?
With modern cars having alloy blocks, wouldn't that make the magnet redundant?

joujoujou

There's one in a gearbox, more than likely the manufacturer put it there for a reason.

Regarding the engine - if it releases particles of metal in that amount one would consider to have a magnet to catch them - that engine is knackered IMO.

biko

Yeah, transmission sump magnets are common enough as standard.
Not in oil sump though, I suppose the manufacturers usually think the oil filter will catch anything big enough to be a problem.