51 replies to this topic

[69k1100]

Magnets are more like electrical circuit that you might first think. Just like an electrical contact, contact area and cleanliness play a big role in transferring magnetic Flux. If you're planning on sticking some magnets to your oil filter then it's a bit of a waste as the can is painted and cylindrical,so the magnet won't stick very well or transfer much Flux.

[Icey]

The term 'gimmick' springs to mind and is in the same class as fuel polarisers and flux capacitors.

I'm seeing nothing in this thread which makes me think anything but the same - it seems very much like automotive quackery.

 

Good quality oil and filters changed regularly seems to be a better prescription.

[mini13]

yes and no,

 

we are talking about ( or at least I am) strong magnets ie neodynium, which will stick just fine and transfer plenty of flux,

 

it will and does work, I have pulled apart an old filter and found a fair amount of swarf caught using the magnet. no where near as much as the sump plug catches, but thats to be expected really.

 

also magnetism does not work like conduction at all, intead the strength of flux falls away with square law over distance. contact is not needed otherwise how would a compass work.

Edited by mini13, 01 November 2016 - 01:08 PM.

[neal]

IMO, they are a waste of time.
 
Nothing lost by fitting them to your filter and I guess if it helps you sleep better at night, then fit them by all means.
 
The Oil Filter not only holds too great a volume of oil but is also too big in section for the magnets to have any meaningful effect, also, the viscosity of the Oil won;t allow the any magnetic particles to travel through it quick enough for the through flow rate to capture all the bits flowing by.
 
Of what it may capture, once the magnetic 'print' from the magnet is filled with magnetic particles, few more to none will be held in any case. Magnets work like an electrical circuit, once a magnetic path is closed from north to south of the magnet, any further extending magnetic field is finished.
 
Also, I think you'll find there's WAY more non-magnetic contaminates in going in to the filter in any case.
 
The term 'gimmick' springs to mind and is in the same class as fuel polarisers and flux capacitors.

I think your comment is tinged with a touch of jealousy simply because you haven't got a working flux capacitor.

Mine works, I turned mine on Saturday night and whata ya know....the clock went back!!

[sonikk4]

So I take it you managed to achieve 88mph on the track then neal?? Yes officer I hear the cry

[sledgehammer]

How about a magnetic dip stick ?

 

if it could be made with grooves to stop anything falling off as you take it out ?

Edited by sledgehammer, 01 November 2016 - 07:14 PM.

[neal]

How about a magnetic dip stick ?
 
if it could be made with grooves to stop anything falling off as you take it out ?

Now there's an idea!!!

[tiger99]

No, unfortunately. Extracting it through the hole is almost certain to dislodge crud, no matter how it is designed.

Why can you guys just not accept that Alec knew EXACTLY what he was doing with the sump plug magnet?

[neal]

No, unfortunately. Extracting it through the hole is almost certain to dislodge crud, no matter how it is designed.

Why can you guys just not accept that Alec knew EXACTLY what he was doing with the sump plug magnet?

Chill mate, Sledgehammer is taking the p*ss out of me, I hope he his anyway.

Edited by neal, 01 November 2016 - 09:00 PM.

[mini-geek]

You mean like he knew exactly what he was doing with the toe board seam.. Dispite being repeatedly told by workers that he was wrong he refused to admit it..

Besides it was designed to run 35hp not 120+

[Orange-Phantom]

Maybe an extra strong "Gold" Sump Plug with a Neodymium magnet is a better idea for dragging extra bits of metal from the oil?

http://www.minispare...lassic/DP3.aspx

[neal]

Maybe an extra strong "Gold" Sump Plug with a Neodymium magnet is a better idea for dragging extra bits of metal from the oil?

http://www.minispare...lassic/DP3.aspx

Yes I bought one and It's quite surprising how strong they are.

[tiger99]

The use of a stronger magnet will make surprisingly little difference. But a longer magnet will be useful, provided that there is clearance for it to be fitted.

If you want to make something better, which as far as I know can't be bought off the shelf for a car, get some short hollow tubular magnets and stack them on a non-magnetic rod (many types of stainless will do, or ali or brass). You need to face them so that they are repelling each other, not attracting. Fit the stack to the drain plug in the usual way, but be very sure that it can't unscrew! That way you get an external pole at each interface between opposing poles so you have a series of crud-collecting poles, not just the one at the end. I have seen such a thing, not in a car engine, but am not allowed to tell you where. Or, I will be on a long visit to one of Her Majesty's less salubrious premises.

Oh, and boron based magnets will be cheaper and more powerful than neodymium, although quite frankly plain old alnico will pick up crud efficiently.

[sledgehammer]

Well I just magnetised my standard dipstick , seems to attract iron filings in oil in a quick test

 

I don't see this as a problem - anything magnetic will get wiped off every time I check the oil (which with a mini will be often)

 

also have magnet's on some machinery at work to stop iron fillings entering the hydraulic pump's , near the screen

 

& the hydraulic pumps we fit at work , to machinery we make , have a magnet in the reservoir - all good practice 

 

when I worked for Smiths Hydraulics , all pumps had a magnet in the tanks

[neal]

What about if another sump plug hole was cut and threaded at the opposite end of the gearbox to the sump plug and a long magnet screwed into that open space where the speedo drive is? I can't see any problems with that surely?

 

I was also thinking that if this was a good idea, then a pilot drill with a cutter could be made so a flat surface could be cut for the sealing washer, the end cover could be removed just to gain access into the gearbox to remove any swarf in the process so you wouldn't have to split the gearbox.

 

Could this kind of task be done with the engine into the engine bay without causing too much disruption, maybe lower the engine a little for access and remove the radiator, engine mount and gearbox end cover etc.?

Edited by neal, 04 November 2016 - 03:33 PM.