DIY Magnetic Oil Filtering

[jb92563]

An Update.

So I changed the oil this weekend after nearly a year, with perhaps 7000 miles put on it and I wanted to take a careful look at how the magnetic oil filter worked.

First thing to note is that the pipe clamp held all the magnets in place perfectly.

The wire ties were useless and either fell off or became loose so I removed them.

Upon draining the oil filter I found a grey sludge that was positioned over each magnet and you could see areas where the sludge chained together to form very fine strands that stood up on end perhaps 1/32" tall.

I found a similar sludge on the magnetic oil plug.

You could pick up the sludge on your finger after wiping it off the magnet and it had no discernible particles, just a greasy sludge feel when rubbing it between your fingers.

The oil filter itself had no magnetic metal particles, just a few tiny bits of black plastic and 1 tiny shaving particle of aluminum.

Interesting thing to note is that the magnets being on the outside of the filter housing means that the oil has already gone through the filter element.
So that magnetic sludge is passing through the filter element before adhering to the magnets.

I figure this is an excellent inexpensive way to reduce engine wear as these magnetic very fine particles will certainly make their way throughout the engine and bearings increasing the rates of wear if not removed.

I'd say this is a great success and although I can't quantify the benefit, I know for certain the magnets have removed far more fine particles that the magnetic oil plug by a factor of 40 due to the size and number of magnets and the amount of magnetic sludge collected from them.

It will be interesting to see if the amount of magnetic sludge collected is reduced at the next oil change, or if that represents the normal wear rate of the internal engine parts.

I'll post the pictures next.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jb92563

Interesting thing to note is that the magnets being on the outside of the filter housing means that the oil has already gone through the filter element.
So that magnetic sludge is passing through the filter element before adhering to the magnets.

Actually, the oil filters from the outside to the inside on the OEM filter, so the housing sees the oil before the filter does.

[jb92563]

Oh, I must have turned the fliter paper the other way around inadvertently when I was cutting it off the tube to inspect it.

That actually works out better anyway so the magnets can also catch the bigger magnetic bits.

Thanks for the correction.



Pics of the magnetic metallic sludge deposits removed from engine after about 7000 miles.
See the magnet oulines surrounded by magnetic sludge




Some magenetic sludge areas standing on end


Each of the seven strong Neodium magnets has captured magnetic metal sludge.
That is going to save wear on crank bearings, piston rod bearings, Piston rings, cylinder sleve, oil pump, IMS bearing, Oil seals etc


1) Aluminum particle 2) Plastic particle from filter element


We will see if the amount is reduced on the next oil change.

I think it would be interesting for someone who gets their oil analyzed by a lab, to see what change in the lab results there would be after removing the magnetic sludge particles from their oil.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jb92563

Oh, I must have turned the fliter paper the other way around inadvertently when I was cutting it off the tube to inspect it.

That actually works out better anyway so the magnets can also catch the bigger magnetic bits.

Thanks for the correction.



Pics of the magnetic metallic sludge deposits removed from engine after about 7000 miles.
See the magnet oulines surrounded by magnetic sludge




Some magenetic sludge areas standing on end


Each of the seven strong Neodium magnets has captured magnetic metal sludge.
That is going to save wear on crank bearings, piston rod bearings, Piston rings, cylinder sleve, oil pump, IMS bearing, Oil seals etc


1) Aluminum particle 2) Plastic particle from filter element


We will see if the amount is reduced on the next oil change.

I think it would be interesting for someone who gets their oil analyzed by a lab, to see what change in the lab results there would be after removing the magnetic sludge particles from their oil.

You should see gradual diminishing of the ferrous grit with your next change, but there will always be some running around as it is a normal process of operations for all engines, and is what the magnets are for.

[jb92563]

I don't really understand why all expensive engines would NOT have magnetic oil filtering as its cheap to install, easy to maintain and can only improve the internal situation in the engine, increasing its longevity and allowing monitoring of any developments.

I suppose it could be that engines lasting too long would effect the companies bottom line, or that the benefit has never been measured, or found to be insignificant in effecting the engines health.

Considering how anal German engineers can be, it seems like a deliberate omission.

What engineer or customer would be ok with hard ferrous grit circulating through their engine?

I'd be curious to know what Jake Raby or the other engine gurus think about it.
Perhaps they know the answers to the above questions.

JFP, I think your one of the gurus, what is your opinion on this?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by jb92563

I don't really understand why all expensive engines would NOT have magnetic oil filtering as its cheap to install, easy to maintain and can only improve the internal situation in the engine, increasing its longevity and allowing monitoring of any developments.

I suppose it could be that engines lasting too long would effect the companies bottom line, or that the benefit has never been measured, or found to be insignificant in effecting the engines health.

Considering how anal German engineers can be, it seems like a deliberate omission.

What engineer or customer would be ok with hard ferrous grit circulating through their engine?

I'd be curious to know what Jake Raby or the other engine gurus think about it.
Perhaps they know the answers to the above questions.

JFP, I think your one of the gurus, what is your opinion on this?

I can't prognosticate what was on the designer's mind at the time, but I know the accountants would have had a heart attack at the thought of adding more costs.

We use FilterMag units on most of our spin on filter conversions. Personally, I use them on all my own internal combustion engines, from my John Deere tractor to the standby generator at the shop.

I believe that both Jake and LN recommend them as well.