First oil change with magnetic plug

[gomarlins3]

I switched to the LM spin on filter adaptor and added a magnetic oil pan drain plug last year and recently changed my oil and filter. This is what I found on my drain plug:



When I wiped my finger across to see what it was, this is what was on my finger:


The plug after being wiped off:


I don't know what any of this means, I just thought I would share.

[jdraupp]

How old is that oil?

[LAP1DOUG]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

How old is that oil?

Yeah good question.

I have had a magnetic drain plug for a couple of years, and every time that I change my oil the drain plug has some metal "fuzz" on it, but probably about 1/2 what I see in this photo, with my oil changes about every 3,000 miles.

You might want to drop the sump plate and see if there is anything larger that didn't get trapped by the magnet. I did this recently just for peace of mind, and all was clear.

Good luck.

[JFP in PA]

It is not at all unusual for either a magnetic drain plug or a FilterMag to look rather ugly at the first oil change. These engines have very fine debris that circulates in them (too small for the filter to catch) that show up when a magnet is introduced into the system.

I would not be overly concerned, but I would check to see that this level is less at your next oil change.

[Steve Tinker]

^^^ I agree with what JFP says ^^^

My magnetic drain plug was similar when I inspected it after the first oil change. The debris reduced significantly on the second and again after the third. Now (after 20,000 km and 4 oil changes) its only a smear attached to the magnet.

[gomarlins3]

10,000 miles/ six months on the oil before the change.

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

10,000 miles/ six months on the oil before the change.

Well there's your answer. That's double the Raby recommended interval. In my opinion, that's way too long on that oil and that's why you're seeing that much gunk.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

10,000 miles/ six months on the oil before the change.

Way too many miles; I'd go 5K max.

[gomarlins3]

The service manual stated 15,000 miles.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

The service manual stated 15,000 miles.

Porsche has made many unsubstantiated claims about how long you should go between oil changes; only problem is used oil analysis says the even the best full synthetics are pretty much dead by 5-6K. Change it sooner, your engine will appreciate it, and ultimately so will your wallet.

[911monty]

It may just be me but that seems to be a lot of sludge for 10k miles done in 6 months of driving, which I would think means you must have a lot of freeway type miles. The sludge would IMO be more likely seen in a vehicle with a lot of stop and start miles. So just curious, What oil are you using?

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

The service manual stated 15,000 miles.

But if you've been on this forum enough to post 200 times...you should've read at least once that the service manual is wrong.

They also state the IMS is a lifetime bearing and they were pretty much wrong about that in most cases as well. The best and cheapest line of defense is to change the oil early and often. 3-5k miles or at least every 6 months.

[paulofto]

Fresh oil . . . the cheapest insurance you will ever buy for a Porsche or any other vehicle. Do it yourself and save money while learning more about your car.

[jb92563]

Why every car does not have magnetic drain plugs is beyond me.

I suppose its one of those things a manufacturer can do to make sure the engine does not last too long.

Its like leaving a handful of abrasives in the engine and not doing anything about it.

You pay all that money for clean oil a couple times a year so why would you not also want to filter out all the abrasives out of your engine that never make it to the filter.

Magnetic plugs are cheap compared to replacing bearings or much worse.

Aluminum particles unfortunately are not magnetic and you rely on the filter for those, but aluminum is softer and causes less wear on the harder high load parts so their effect is not as much of a worry.

[gomarlins3]

I stripped out the plug this morning while trying to change the oil. Now I am trying to figure out how I can get the plug out. Any ideas? I don't want to drop the entire pan if I can avoid it.

[particlewave]

A large extractor bit. If that fails, you'll have to remove the sump plate.
Those magnetic drain plugs are garbage. Stick with OEM and get a filter mag.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

I stripped out the plug this morning while trying to change the oil. Now I am trying to figure out how I can get the plug out. Any ideas? I don't want to drop the entire pan if I can avoid it.

Always remember, these magnetic drain plugs require FAR LESS torque when re-installing. I use the L&N Magnetic Billet Drain Plug and the torque spec is only a low 19 ft.lbs. This may have been part of your problem.

Not sure what part your stripped, so maybe you can tap a larger allen or hex wrench into the plug and remove? Sorry. Good luck.

[fanguy]

I don't know anybody who dosen't do the 5K or 6 months. I thought that was the new standard. Learn something new everyday.

[gomarlins3]

A hammer, some attitude, and a prayer and I was able to get it out. Back to the OEM drain plug for me.

[Converse986Black]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

A hammer, some attitude, and a prayer and I was able to get it out. Back to the OEM drain plug for me.

Congrats on getting it out without any more harm or time.

Enjoy the returned love of fresh oil in your Boxster, and may she never see that many miles before another oil change lol Seriously, better safe than sorry on the oil change/mile intervals than a catastrophic failure following the liemanual!