Magnetic sump drain plug

Paul_S

Paul_S

Club Member
I've been thinking about getting a magnetic sump plug for when I next change my oil. I believe all the cars from 240Z to 280ZX have a 16.4mm thread - please correct me if I'm wrong!

I've found the Gold Plug AP-16 is available in the US but I've not found a UK distributor who sells that particular one (some sell more popular Gold Plug sizes).

Does anyone know of a UK source for a AP-16 or equivalent?

Or, is it possible to magnetise the Datsun plug? Is it an easy job to do?
 
I've not done it for my sump plug, but I remember from Physics lessons that you just stroke it with a magnet. Try it!
 
jonbills said:
I've not done it for my sump plug, but I remember from Physics lessons that you just stroke it with a magnet. Try it!
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I might just do that once I've drained the oil. I'm not planning on doing it for a while, I was just trying to get all the bits in stock before I do.

If it does work I guess it might not be very strong and a poor substitute for a proper one though?
 
I think its mainly limited by the material its made of. steel is less magnetic than iron is less magnetic than neodymium magnets etc
 
Paul_S said:
I've been thinking about getting a magnetic sump plug for when I next change my oil.
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At the risk of sounding facetious, what exactly are you expecting a sump plug magnet to pick up? If it picks up anything ferrous, you're probably already in a world of hurt...

Diff and gearbox plugs have magnets on them because they have lots of steel parts in mesh with each other under variable loads and a little bit of wear-related ferrous deposition is expected, but just about the only ferrous wear in the engine itself is the piston rings on the bores. All the bearings should be non-ferrous, and protected by oil.

Am I missing something?
 
You make a very good point. I suppose I want to fit one to see what isn't picked up. It would be reassuring to see nothing on it in the future!
 
You could have wear on the oil pump drive gear and spindle. I had that the year before last.
 
Albrecht said:
Your oil filter called. It wants a divorce, citing neglect. "It's like he doesn't even know I exist....".
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[emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787] ROFLMAO!
 
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