Hi,

I just tried an experiment with my last oil change. I placed 2 small rare earth magnets in the sump. I know sump plugs often have magnets but these suckers have serious magnetic pull. Like if they snap together they are very difficult to seperate.

Anyhow this is the result after about 5000 kms. You can see the magnetic field, pretty cool

The sludge around the magnets was only slightly gritty to the touch. But the metal content was high enough to make it VERY difficult to clean the magnets.

I figure the less metallic stuff in the oil the better its got to be ... right? Anyway I thought it was interesting

cheers

J

hmm thats an interesting idea.

Try the same thing in your gearbox and see how much crud it picks up, scary.

Does this mean if you use so called magnetic oils, they will stick to the sump and reduce your oil capacity or do you just make sure you buy the right polarity of oil?

[Edited on 5-3-2005 by sax]

hey manx, where did you get those strong magnets?
and how did you secure them?

[Edited on 5-3-2005 by akean1]

You can get them from lots of sources. My favourite, being the tech-head I am, is out of old computer hard drives. They are used to move the read/write head. I wouldn't think you'd have to secure them with anything, they are so damn strong!

Put 'em on the underside (ie outside) of the plate. Far easier to clean that way!

Thats not a bad idea it can only help

Quote:

Originally posted by VWCOOL Put 'em on the underside (ie outside) of the plate. Far easier to clean that way!

Where to get rare earth magnets - http://www.dansdata.com  had a link to a US mob that sold em. They came in a pack in all sorts of sizes. They are so strong you can put one in ya pocket and use it to hold a 12" shifter to the outside of ya jeans! Heaps a fun for the whole family.

http://www.dansdata.com/magnets2.htm  direct link for all the lazy peoples out there

BTW While I think dansdata is the ultimate cool (in a full on geeky way) website I have no affiliations etc ... just so you know

Oh yeah old HDDs are another source for rare earth magnets ... if you have some lying around pull em apart

Jaycar has also got rare earth magnets

Cheers
Jeremy

sweeet

i just baught one from jaycar today, and pulled one out of old hard drive as well. (both were to big to put on the inside, but will work on outside).
the spanner on the jeans is fun! man are they strong!:vader









[Edited on 11-3-2005 by akean1]

hmmm will do. you say it works for gearbox oil too? so doing it!

think it's a geat idea...

anyone got any idea if doing it could cause problems later??

Hmm i was to believe that magnets attract rust.
-M

must be a bitch to clean the metal particles off them then...

hey akean, what the hell is Hitler doing in your avatar? Kinda looks like a watermelon...

yeah, its a realy tasty chomping type of melon