Magnet in Oil Filter

[limitedlou]

Since we are theoryizing here, think about this. The drain plug magnets are all located at the lowest point in the oil pan and primary. Isn't it possible they do their work after the engine is off and the oil settles and the 'heavy metals' sink to the bottom? If true, the sideways oil filter magnet would not be very useful.

After watching the video on the link  www.drainplugmagnets.com  Maybe the issue now would be the strength of the magnet..  That one sure does put Harley's weak magnet to shame.. Just saying..

[q1svt]

Since we are theoryizing here, think about this. The drain plug magnets are all located at the lowest point in the oil pan and primary. Isn't it possible they do their work after the engine is off and the oil settles and the 'heavy metals' sink to the bottom? If true, the sideways oil filter magnet would not be very useful.

Sixspeed, since you’re fishing   

That is a correct statement for most other engines (there is a dip in the oil and trans pans and that’s where the drain plugs are too), but remember you’re talking Harley engineering or lack of it.
1.   If you can find a picture of a Harley oil pan, you’ll see that the pick-up is built into the bottom of the flat pan and the oil has to flow past it to get to the drain magnet… 
2.   If you find a picture of the cam chest with the oil pump installed the dry-sump pick-up is on the bottom too…
http://www.baggersmag.com/tech/0901_hrbp_harley_davidson_twin_cam_96/photo_13.html

Hey, whether people add magnets or not is their choice.  I added two 55# magnets ($5.00 each) to simply get through traffic lights (long before I knew about Harley engineering  ).  Needed to mount them somewhere and figured the filter (outside) couldn’t hurt (Well, the HD tech did scrape his hands pulling them b@sters off  ).

[Bill in OKC]

On my softail, the drain plug/magnet are at the end of a long hose...  I don't know how much -if any- engine oil ever flows past it.

[krimp]

On my softail, the drain plug/magnet are at the end of a long hose...  I don't know how much -if any- engine oil ever flows past it.

It doesn't. Did 50 miles then changed oil. The oil in the tube that came out first was still cold to the touch.

[akjeff]

My thought is the magnet is more of a warning device, than a preventative device. If it's on the magnet, then it's most likely already circulated through the engine, at least to some degree. Kind of like a "chip detect" warning in a helicopter. It's not there to catch the chips, it's there to say "land this sucker pronto, as something is wrong!". Not saying it's a bad idea, but it's not a panacea either. JMO.

Jeff

Check out this site that I got... Check out the video's    www.drainplugmagnets.com         

Like I said...I don't think they are without value. I suspect after break in, you'll have a given amount of metal debris on the magnet, at every oil change. If I saw a sudden increase in debris, I'd know that something was going south. Then again, when is enough, enough? Should we do a SOAP(spectrometric oil analysis program) test with each oil change? I'm more inclined to do regular oil changes/preventative maintenance, and then ride the friggin' thing. It ain't the space shuttle, for crying out loud.

Jeff

[tmwmoose]

Harley used a large pipe thread drain plug that has a magnet on it and was used  on mid 80's rubber mount inner primary housings for the drain . I have this for the sump drain plug on my 02 flht

[joelp34252]

I can not think of any reason why a magnet would not help clean the oil. Have ran them in cars,boats,lawnmowers,motorcycles,tractors, ect. Usually have a little sludge on them at oil change time. I think when people think of magnets, they think of collecting metal nuggets floating around in the engine. Hopefully that is not the case. The stuff you usually get on a magnet is stuff that is too fine to get caught in the engine oil filter. Now a magnet in the tranny is different. The pieces you collect in there from the gears and dogs are much more substantial.

Joel 2001 FLHT

[turboprop]

After watching the video on the link  www.drainplugmagnets.com  Maybe the issue now would be the strength of the magnet..  That one sure does put Harley's weak magnet to shame.. Just saying..

I agree. Typical of harley to go cheap on stuff besides paint and chrome. Those high power magnets might be snake oil, but they could also be a true enhancement, and at their relatively low cost they will not break the bank. The video with the oem drain plug/magnet was worth watching. These would make a nice Christmas gift for some of my buddies.

[limitedlou]

I went and got the three package deal from   www.cyclesolutionsonline   Changed the oil plug, and compared the stock plug with the "Dimple" mag oil plug,  Wow! what a difference in the magnetism power. Night and day difference.. I'm looking forward for my next oil change to see what might get stuck...

[Golfman]

I agree with akjeff and Spudislandbiker: that it is a great indicator of possible ongoing damage. The Video, made by the manufacturer of the magnetic plugs, did not impress. If I had seen that happen inside a Harley pan filled with hot 20/50 oil at 3,000 rpm, I might have been more impressed ,but I feel the magnet, in that case, would only catch a relatively small portion before it goes through the pump and filter.... I know I shouldn't say this but I'm not that worried about metal particles floating around that are too small for the filter to catch, less than 5 microns.... maybe I am foolish but I give the oiling system, bearings, etc. more credit on being able to deal with some of that.
Magnets are a good idea as an indicator; and if you think they will save your motor when there is something else going on and lots of metal floating around because of a problem, then "have at it". It's a personal thing...whatever you believe.

[slypig]

Don't forget to put magnets on your fuel line to polarize the fuel molecules.

[krimp]

Don't forget to put magnets on your fuel line to polarize the fuel molecules.

The Fitch Fuel Catalyst is a patented poly metallic alloy that reformulates and resuscitates fuel molecules of gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and kerosene. The Fitch Fuel Catalyst reaction supplements the process that takes place at the refinery. As a refinery uses heat and pressure to "crack" or refine the fuel, the Fitch Catalyst "re-refining" process takes place on board a machine, at ambient temperature. As fuel passes over the catalyst media, several subtle but important reactions occur changing the structure of molecules to a state that allows for a more thorough combustion.

[Golfman]

WOW !! It's a wonder these Bikes ever make it to the local "choke and puke" for a sandwich without all these magnets hanging on them !!!!

[Admiral Akbar]

WOW !! It's a wonder these Bikes ever make it to the local "choke and puke" for a sandwich without all these magnets hanging on them !!!!

   
Max

[wrongpaw]

Magnets do have a place in society.  Look at how they  attract the Wimmen folk
to the 'Fridge 

[Bill in OKC]

Who needs oil filters anyway?  Lots of bikes run without gas or air filters with no problems. lol

[harleytoprock]

No doubt magnets help to stop recirculation of iron in the oil. Muncie auto transmissions use a magnet that is epoxied to the bottom of the case. If you have ever pulled apart one of these transmissions you will find what looks like anti-seize stuck to the magnet. The magnet is not removable to clean. The crud just sticks to the magnet for the life of trans where it does no harm. But are Dimple magnets overkill? Sure its impressive to see that their magnets can hold more than 5 pounds of steel but we only need to hold  fine microns of iron. The videos shows how a oem primary magnet plug is wimpy compared to theirs yet my oem plug does a fine job of collecting. Unless we're trying pull  loose transmisson gears out of the oil, why would I need such a strong magnet to collect steel microns?