My take on the Magnetic Oil Filter Housing

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by PaulDash

Could one simply stick a magnet (would have to be the right shape and size) inside the filter housing?

Mine is inside the canister.



I know that's not exactly what you meant. Not sure how that would work with the stock setup. If the magnet were small enough or broken, it might be possible for it to be sucked up through the bypass, but I don't know enough about the stock set up to say for sure.

[Muskoka Minute]

Where do you get the magnets from?
I think this is a great idea.

[particlewave]

Thanks for the link, Dwight

I just ordered a 3/4" x 1/4" high temp disc magnet to put on top of my existing magnet in the canister. The one that's in there now is kind of small and weak. It looks like it will fit in there nicely and with 18lbs of pull will be much stronger than what I have now.

Just as an aside, 1 of those large bar magnets would be sufficient. 2 would be overkill. 7?

[Pdwight]

Now this would be overkill

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=BZX0ZX0Y0-N52

[particlewave]

That is nuts

[tomonomics]

Isn't the point of the oil filter to 'filter' bits of metal (and any other foreign object of a certain size)?
Or are you trying to attract pieces of metal that are smaller than (x)micron that the filter won't contain, as someone mentioned above.

Just confused as to why this is needed inside the filter, as opposed to a better filter that would contain these sized particles in the first place.

[Santafe]

I think this is a great idea guys, can't wait to try it, just have to be careful not to park over a manhole or drain cover.

[jb92563]

Originally Posted by Santafe

I think this is a great idea guys, can't wait to try it, just have to be careful not to park over a manhole or drain cover.

OMG, the horror!

LOL

[jb92563]

Originally Posted by tomonomics

Isn't the point of the oil filter to 'filter' bits of metal (and any other foreign object of a certain size)?
Or are you trying to attract pieces of metal that are smaller than (x)micron that the filter won't contain, as someone mentioned above.

Just confused as to why this is needed inside the filter, as opposed to a better filter that would contain these sized particles in the first place.

Filters are a compromise between catching small enough particles vs keeping a good oil flow rate especially when the oil is cold.

When I dissected the filter I would expect some of that magnetic type sludge to be caught in the filter element itself but the filter element seemed clear of those size particles so I can only assume they are passing through the filter element.

I'd rather catch this stuff with the magnets and not let it circulate through the bearings and stuck on the cylinder walls. Its like having 600 grit sand paper passing through the engine....no thanks, lets get rid of that stuff and have longer bearing life and higher compression for a longer time.

If you could pay $30 one time to make your engine last another 20,000 miles or perhaps much more, what would that be worth to you?
It will not even effect your warranty and with the magnets being external if it fails for some reason there is no chance of damaging anything.

That's the point! $30, DIY in 15min, no downside, only benefits. You can't loose on this one.

[particlewave]

Pore diameter in the filter media is restricted by the need for fluid flow. In other words, there are many ferrous metal particles that are small enough to fit through the pores of the filter media and if those pores are made smaller, the oil will not flow freely enough and/or the filter will become clogged by debris prematurely and cause either complete filter bypass or oil starvation.

Magnets in oil filtration systems are actually pretty common, just not on passenger cars.

[tomonomics]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Pore diameter in the filter media is restricted by the need for fluid flow. In other words, there are many ferrous metal particles that are small enough to fit through the pores of the filter media and if those pores are made smaller, the oil will not flow freely enough and/or the filter will become clogged by debris prematurely and cause either complete filter bypass or oil starvation.

Magnets in oil filtration systems are actually pretty common, just not on passenger cars.

I've seen them in transmissions, as you're expecting more particles there, but if you've got that much metal in your engine oil, you've got other problems.

Also, while it seems these are crazy strong magnets, I'd still be concerned that oil flow + a large pothole would release a clump of the sludge all at once, which would be more likely to cause a stroke. As opposed to Coumadin (frequent oil changes).

I recall from my Miata days some Blackstone comparisons in oil samples from magnetized filters, but I can't find it. (no pictures, so it didn't happen!)

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by tomonomics

I've seen them in transmissions, as you're expecting more particles there, but if you've got that much metal in your engine oil, you've got other problems.

Also, while it seems these are crazy strong magnets, I'd still be concerned that oil flow + a large pothole would release a clump of the sludge all at once, which would be more likely to cause a stroke. As opposed to Coumadin (frequent oil changes).

I recall from my Miata days some Blackstone comparisons in oil samples from magnetized filters, but I can't find it. (no pictures, so it didn't happen!)

All internal combustion engines generate a fine ferrous grit as a normal offshoot of parts wear and tear. A major problem is that most of this material is very fine, so fine that it can pass right through an OEM oil filter, and continue to accumulate over time.

Magnets on the outside of the filter housings see all the oil before it passes into the filter media (oil flow is from the outside to the inside in these filters), trapping this material. And if some compressed grit did pop loose, which I serious doubt happens, its first stop would be in the filter.

Serious racers have used filter magnets for years, both to limit the circulation of the grit, but also as a diagnostic tool for checking on the engine's general health.

[Eric G]

One of the best DYI mods I have seen in quite a while. Elegant and purposeful. I haven't tinkered with the box in a while, this would be a great one to do as well as on other rigs.

[JayG]

Ordered my magnets today

[particlewave]

The maximum operating temperature for the neodymium magnets which Dwight linked is claimed to be 302°F.

Time will tell...

[JayG]

You can grab the oil filter housing with your hand, even when the engine is hot, so it does not get anywhere near the oil temp

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

I doubt very much the oil reaches 240 deg C - I wouldn't want my oil more that 120 max....

JayG - you must have asbestos palms !!

I think he meant Fahrenheit

Originally Posted by JayG

You can grab the oil filter housing with your hand, even when the engine is hot, so it does not get anywhere near the oil temp

Mine will be inside the canister, so hopefully it will maintain strength at oil operating temp.

[particlewave]

Here's mine. 3/4" high temp disc, stuck on top of the existing disc which is a bit weak. I wanted to go 1" to fill the whole cup on the bottom of the filter element, but couldn't find 1" in high temp.
This thing is crazy strong...interested to see what it pulls out.

[JayG]

super fast shipping from KJM. Ordered Thursday and they just arrived !
Had a quick look at their website today and the magnets are on sale for 20% off today

If you want to save some $ on shipping, select USPS regular mail ($5.00 shipping) instead of their default fedex.

[steved0x]

I ordered mine and got them a day or two ago along with that big heat shrink from the thread, thanks JayG for the heads up on the discount and the shipping.

Man those little magnets are strong. I got 8 and spaced them around, since I have the spin on filter it was easy to stick them on. I just changed the oil so it will be a while before I see what they picked up.