Originally Posted by
Rob_DOHC
I agree with you to a point there Tom, it would be totally pointless to use a mag plug to prolong engine life in a military applications simply because the oil quantity compared with a motor vehicle is massive, and actually using them as they do (to measure engine wear) is much easier with large quantity's of oil.
Its all debatable really because the oil filter in a car is more than capable of filtering crap of that size.
I recently stripped my bmw's auto box to change filters and fluid, dropping the pan showed two large magnets covered in metal filings, there was NONE in the fluid (after careful filtering to see). More so the gearbox is stamped as "sealed for life", so to me the magnets were not fitted for inspections purposes but for removing ferrous particulates from the fluid (like they did), BMW being the tight German tossers they are really would not have fitted them had they not been of worth while benefit.
All in all i don't know if a sump plug magnet is worth it lol, but as Karlos says, it doesn't do any harm, and isn't expensive
Rob,
valid point Rob, but as we all know it's age and exposure to temperature that degrades oil. just by fitting magnets to filter out miniscule particles of metal would not provide that much more protection to an engine in my mind. if a car is driven hard regularly, and lets face it who really just pootles around in an RST, then the best and really only way to protect the engine and ensure longevity is to make sure you change the oil and filter regularly as this stops damage being done due to degraded or dirty oil that is left way overdue. as i said before it's down to individual choice but to be honest mine will get used so little when it's rebuilt that the cost of regular oil changes will not be an issue for me personelly.
Karlos, i'm willing to bet that once the engine is properly run in the amounts you notice on the plug get smaller with every oil change. as i'm more than sure you're aware engines will produce a lot of swarf when being run in as all the new components bed themselves in hence why the oil is changed so regularly when running a new build in. p.s i've followed what you've posted on here quite avidly and hope this engine holds together a lot longer than the last and produces the figures you're after mate.
regards
Tom