DIY Magnetic Oil Filtering

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by steved0x

I always wondered if you use a filter magnet and then send your oil out for analysis if you the readings are accurate due to the metals picked up by the magnets?

How can that be? The metals were already there, magnets or not; and if anything, the magnet is taking metal out of the oil............

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

How can that be? The metals were already there, magnets or not; and if anything, the magnet is taking metal out of the oil............

I think the gentleman is saying that with the filter mag the contaminate particles are are removed from suspension in the oil to certain degree. An oil analysis will then indicate less wear contaminants than it would have without the filter mag in place (depending upon how an oil analysis is conducted).

With that said you will certainly be able to scrape off residue in your filter housing and dump it in your sample so you can see what the source is. The fine pickup being better than a chip detector.

One also has to consider that your oil is now circulating "healthier" with the magnet in place and perhaps that might be valuable analysis trend information as far as oil change intervals go.