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A closer look at magnetic drain plugs
A closer look at magnetic drain plugs
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A closer look at magnetic drain plugs
What do breeders and motorcyclists have in common?
Magnets, designed to guarantee the health of our goods. By this I mean cow magnets and magnetic drain plugs, both of which are supposed to grab ferromagnetic material and keep it from reaching places where it doesn't belong.
In the case of the cow, these are nails and pieces of barbed wire that he accidentally skins with the hay. The magnet traps the stuff in one of the cow's stomachs – they have four – so it doesn't travel further into the digestive tract, where it can be deadly.
Cow magnets work, as do magnetic drain plugs. If you use one in your engine, it will have a coating of slimy fuzz on it at your next oil change. The schmutz it collects are normal wear particles that shed from things like the main gear, drive gears, and piston rings.
The real question is: is getting this gunk out of your oil important and do you need a magnet to do it? Well, manufacturers don't seem to think so, otherwise they would install magnetic drain bolts at the factory, and only a few of them do it regularly. (Here's you, KTM and BMW.) Most shaft-drive bikes have a magnetic drain plug for the final gear case, but that's because there's no filter to help keep the gear oil clean .
Your engine, however, has a filter and is quite efficient. The average oil filter has an absolute micron rating of 30 or 35 microns – for reference, human hair is about 50 microns in diameter – meaning the filter will remove anything larger than that. This includes magnetic alloys, but also non-ferrous materials such as carbon, clutch material, gasket pieces, aluminum, bronze and other particulates that are not affected by a magnetic field.
But what about steel particles smaller than 30 microns? This is where proponents of magnetic drain plugs get excited, because a magnet will capture any piece of steel, regardless of size. And as it turns out, it's the really small stuff, one to 10 microns, that is the most destructive.
These “game-sized particles” are small enough to fit into the gaps between parts such as piston rings and cylinder walls, piston pin and rod bearings. Furthermore, steel is one of the hardest substances expelled inside the engine, so it is potentially the most harmful. And if removing it is as easy as putting a magnet in the cup, then why wouldn't you?
When it comes to this, a magnetic drain plug is an added layer of protection, and based on the sludge I've removed from the magnets, they seem pretty effective. It's not something every manufacturer thinks is necessary, of course, but as an owner you might think it is. Furthermore, magnetic drain plugs are economical and easy to install. Some even come drilled for the safety cable, which is great if you're prepping a bike for the track or racing.
However, there is something you need to pay attention to, even with something as simple as a drain plug. Many of them are made of aluminum, which is nice because it's lightweight and you can get them in all kinds of fun anodized colors. However, I have seen bolts improperly advertised as being machined from billet aluminum, which is strong and durable, when in fact the bolt is machined from a cast part, which is inherently brittle. The result? Drain plugs loose, long before the recommended torque has been reached.
The last thing I will point out about magnetic drain plugs is that they are not ideally placed to do their job. They sit at the bottom of the sump, where the oil flows around. To be truly effective, the magnet needs to be directly in the oil flow, which is why I run a magnet over my oil filter. The donut-shaped magnets sit right on the oil filter, so that the engine oil flows over it and the magnet can catch any errant particles. Donut magnets work on spin-on filters and cartridge filters and are much more effective than drain plug magnets.
⚠️ Legal Notice – Important Product Declaration
This product is not certified, approved, or homologated for use on public roads or highways in any country. It is intended for off-road use only, including closed-course racing, sports competition, or private testing . Installation and use of this product on vehicles operating on public roads is strictly prohibited and may violate traffic laws, emissions regulations, or roadworthiness inspection requirements.
By purchasing this product, the customer acknowledges and accepts the following:
- The product is sold “as is” for sports or off-road use only.
- It is not approved for road circulation and must not be used on public roads under any circumstances.
- Seller assumes no responsibility for improper, illegal or unauthorized use of this product.
- The customer is solely responsible for ensuring that the installation and use of the product complies with local laws and regulations.
- Use of this product outside of its intended use may affect your vehicle warranty and insurance coverage.
This notice applies regardless of the country to which the product is purchased or shipped, including (but not limited to) the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
By proceeding with the purchase, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted this legal notice, and you release the seller from any liability arising from improper or unauthorized use of the product.
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