Magnetic Plug from ECS - Views on this?

[Scharbag]

Still annoyed that I cannot use these damn plugs...

Any updates from anyone with them?

[pbonsalb]

I have been using magnetic plugs from power equipment. I forget the application — some small engine. I had to grind down the edge a bit to fit the lip on one of the drain holes. Had them in for a year or two. Google the thread size and magnetic plug and something should come up. They were about $6 each.

[Scharbag]

Here are some photos. Not sure what is going on here. These rally should work.

So strange.

[pbonsalb]

Does it fit the recessed hole in the pan and allow you to put a wrench on it?

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Does it fit the recessed hole in the pan and allow you to put a wrench on it?

Yup, it is a 13mm socket IIRC. No problem at all to get a socket on it. It just never seems to truly bottom out. Feels like I am going to strip something. Freaks me out.

But it is the same pitch, the same size, the same length...

What I might do, because I am a nerd, is epoxy some magnets to the tip of the OE plugs (I have extras). Just have to use a really good epoxy that is heat and oil safe.

I know a guy that is going to have to rip a pan off an S65 soon cause it has rod knock. I might see if he will let me test the Dimple plugs in that pan and see what is up.

Cheers,

[pbonsalb]

There is some kind of aircraft epoxy rated for interior fuel tank repairs that might be good although if the magnet came loose it would probably just stick to the steel plug. For that reason I might lean towards a steel plug over an aluminum one.

Did you try tightening it with a sealing washer in place? I agree given how these pans strip that continuing to tighten if you are feeling uncomfortable could be bad.

[Scharbag]

I have tried with and without the washer... Both felt strange.

Permatex and JB Weld make epoxy that is good to 400+ F continuous. If the oil at the bottom of the pan gets that hot, I did something really wrong... Plus, there is no shearing force so there is no reason that the magnet would want to fall off...

We shall see...

[pbonsalb]

Magnets lose their effectiveness above 176F. Still, I always have a little fuzz on the magnets in the oil pans on my 3 cars.

[Scharbag]

Little high temp JB well and a few rare earth magnets later.

May try these out next oil change. They seem solid. I cannot get the magnets off. No matter what I try.

Still confused as to why the dimple plugs will not tighten up properly.

[pbonsalb]

Heat it up to 200F and see whether it is still magnetic. Supposedly most magnets lose their effectiveness above 176F and may not recover.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Heat it up to 200F and see whether it is still magnetic. Supposedly most magnets lose their effectiveness above 176F and may not recover.

These are neodymium magnets.

From what I can find, these should not be completely damaged until 310 Celsius. They should be fine up to 125C to 150C.

Perhaps I will put one in the oven at 300F and see what happens.

[pbonsalb]

If you researched the type it should be fine. I assume there is a type that works for higher temps.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

If you researched the type it should be fine. I assume there is a type that works for higher temps.

I freely admit I simply got lucky. I knew very little about magnets until you pointed the temperature thing out

Supposedly this is the type of magnet that I was sold (attached). Tc is the Curie point at which they lose their magnetic properties. If I ever get my oil to 590F, I think the game is over...

I will bake them this weekend to make sure the epoxy is stable and that the magnets remain magnetic.

Cheers,

[Scharbag]

Well, the rating is bullshit. 300F for 1 hour. Magnets are now not as strong. The epoxy is like a rock though... boo.

[pbonsalb]

But is it strong enough to grab tiny particles of metal? There is always fuzz on the magnetic drain plugs in my 3 cars when I change the oil.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

But is it strong enough to grab tiny particles of metal? There is always fuzz on the magnetic drain plugs in my 3 cars when I change the oil.

Likely yes. I am still going to try them.

[roastbeef]

i've bought magnets for fun from k&j (not for this application). they have a useful q&a section on their site.

"Rare Earth magnets have a high resistance to demagnetization, unlike most other types of magnets. They will not lose their magnetization around other magnets or if dropped. They will however, begin to lose strength if they are heated above their maximum operating temperature, which is 176°F (80°C) for standard N grades. They will completely lose their magnetization if heated above their Curie temperature, which is 590°F (310°C) for standard N grades. Some of our magnets are of high temperature material, which can withstand higher temperatures without losing strength."

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/neomaginfo.asp

[Scharbag]

Seems like this is the bad boy that I need:

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddeta...=D63AH&cat=167

My order some of these and some more drain plugs.

Thank you for the great information roastbeef!!

[pbonsalb]

If you bought 5000, you could save 30 cents each and go into business selling magnetic drain plugs for $19.95 each. Probably get 500 in the oven at a time.

[roastbeef]

While you're at it, get two 1x1x1" cubes. You'll have fun.

[roastbeef]

i've fantasized about getting like 20 of these blocks and cementing them just below the surface of the sidewalk. then just sit back with some beers and watch people on bikes get thrown down to the ground by the invisible force.
https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddeta...d=BZX0Z0X0-N52

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i've fantasized about getting like 20 of these blocks and cementing them just below the surface of the sidewalk. then just sit back with some beers and watch people on bikes get thrown down to the ground by the invisible force.
https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddeta...d=BZX0Z0X0-N52

Doode, you have an evil streak. I like it!