Magnetic Drain Plugs?

JohnnyDaJackal · 10-26-05, 07:29

Does anyone have experience with magnetic drain plugs for your oil or transmission? I've started seeing some people over on CRSX post about them, and I guess you can say I want a 2nd opinion from a more diverse car owning group here on Autopia. These plugs aren't exactly cheap, I found a pair of Spoon magnetic drain plugs (oil and tranny) for a little under $50. I still need to do a little more searching for a cheaper pair, I believe Spoon is a highly regarded manufacturer when it comes to Honda tuning. I'm trying to keep my car running as clean and smooth as possible, for a hopefully long and trouble free future (knock on wood). A few people on this forum as well as others already convinced me enough to switch to synthetic (Mobil 1) my next oil change, i'm just wondering if these drain plugs would also be greatly benefical, or if they are a waste of money.
Thanks in Advance for any input on the subject!

Setec Astronomy · 10-26-05, 07:51

Magnetic drain plugs are always a good idea, but, since you've got an aluminum block engine, I'm not sure how many magnetic particles you're going to catch...certainly some from the valve train. I can't remember whether the oil pan on the RSX base model is aluminum or not, but if you don't have any desire to look at the particles you are catching, I'd be tempted to put a magnet in thru the oil drain hole, that should be a lot cheaper. My GM auto trans has a magnet in the pan--it's just one of those soft ones like the gimmick refrigerator magnets that have logos on them; it fits in a little recess in the pan.

Amused · 10-26-05, 07:54

i had the Spoon plugs in my GS-R and didn't notice any additional benefit.

medic · 10-26-05, 08:43

not sure how much I buy the idea of magnetic drain plugs...

i'd imagine metal particles in engines/tranny was a bigger issue in older vehicles. newer manufactuing methods should reduce the number of shavings that are left in the engine block/tranny, so I wouldn't think a magnetic drain plug would do much.

plus, if you do have shavings consistenly appearing, I'd think you'd have a bigger issue of metal to metal contact hapening which will wear things prematurely anyway.

finally, wouldn't the oil/tranny filter catch these pieces anyway?

I don't have direct experience with these sorts of plugs, but others seems to like these drain plugs. does anywone have a pic showing how much metal these plugs pick up?

flatstick · 10-26-05, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyDaJackal

Does anyone have experience with magnetic drain plugs for your oil or transmission? I've started seeing some people over on CRSX post about them, and I guess you can say I want a 2nd opinion from a more diverse car owning group here on Autopia. These plugs aren't exactly cheap, I found a pair of Spoon magnetic drain plugs (oil and tranny) for a little under $50. I still need to do a little more searching for a cheaper pair, I believe Spoon is a highly regarded manufacturer when it comes to Honda tuning. I'm trying to keep my car running as clean and smooth as possible, for a hopefully long and trouble free future (knock on wood). A few people on this forum as well as others already convinced me enough to switch to synthetic (Mobil 1) my next oil change, i'm just wondering if these drain plugs would also be greatly benefical, or if they are a waste of money.
Thanks in Advance for any input on the subject!

With the Aluminum you have, I would say pass on these plugs.
I would say save the money for something a little more useful.
in my opinion this is a must have http://www.fumotovalve.com/.
This is the only aftermarket plug that I have found useful. makes your UOA'S and oil
drains nice and neat.
Have been using these for a while and they rock.

mrzeee · 10-26-05, 09:31

not sure what the price is but how about the magnets that attach to oil filters??

JohnnyDaJackal · 10-26-05, 10:36

Thanks for the responses, still not sure how I feel on the topic, I'll probably do a little more researching.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrzeee

not sure what the price is but how about the magnets that attach to oil filters??

Someone on CRSX just got a FilterMag, pretty much what your saying. I also noticed them in my new Summit catalog. Seems like it would be a lot more effective then the magnetic drain plugs, but it goes for around $50, so again I need to do a little research on it.
http://www.filtermag.com/

Pontman43 · 10-26-05, 01:34

Setec has a good point, but I would get them because if you changed oil on cars everyday and see what the magnetic ones collect, you would be very suprised, especially with trannies. Also, I believe that your RSX already has a magnetic tranny plug. And $50 is way to much IMO. I know that you can get one for a GM for like $3, but they come with them stock, so I guess thats why the ones for hondas cost so much. Still I would do a little more searching.

G35stilez · 10-26-05, 01:40

I have the Spoons in my Integra and everytime I change the oil, I find myself wiping gunk off the magnet.

I'd say they are worth it. If that gunk is, in fact, metal pieces, then I would want them not to be run through my engine again.

Flynn · 10-26-05, 01:48

My Mitsubishi FTO had magnetic drain plugs as standard and it seemed like a great idea. Just in case anything metal gets into your oil it would grab it and stop it doing damage. It may just save your engine.

flatstick · 10-26-05, 04:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyDaJackal

Thanks for the responses, still not sure how I feel on the topic, I'll probably do a little more researching.

Someone on CRSX just got a FilterMag, pretty much what your saying. I also noticed them in my new Summit catalog. Seems like it would be a lot more effective then the magnetic drain plugs, but it goes for around $50, so again I need to do a little research on it.
http://www.filtermag.com/

the quality of oil and oil filter ( which most people do not realize) are keys to keeping you oil doing it's job ( lubricating the engine) If you have metal pieces in your oil of sufficient size that a magnet would attract them, you may have some serious problems.

Ben Kenobi · 10-26-05, 06:24

This is an interesting question John, my thoughts are that it wouldn't hurt to use the plug. If you are going to change your oil yourself I'd really consider the Fumotovalve. That's a slick looking product.

I know you'll make a good decision! Good luck with your research.

Paul