Ford Raptor Magnetic Drain Plug

[Ruger]

Vash, there's a factory magnet in the drain pan of the transmission in addition to the filter. According to the manual the tranny doesn't need service for 100,000 miles, so it's not intended as an inspection tool. A magnet acts like an open filter, and will grab particles of metal too fine for filtration.

DRT, you can do what you say all right. I used to put magnets on the side of the filter and hold them in place with a big hose clamp. There's even a company that makes doughnut-shaped filters that you stick on the end of motorcycle cartridge filters. I use one on my Husaberg and it seems to work okay.

 

[Raptor911]

Do you mean something like this ...

if you are scared about cross threading the bolt, you can achieve the same results by buying 4 one inch rare earth magnets and making a 2X2 square with them and placing the magnets on the dome of the oil filter. it will catch a whole lot more crud in the filter and you wouldn't have to try to take off the shavings from the tip of the bolt (since they would be caught on the inside of the filter.) If you ever want to see what got caught all you have to do is remove the magnets with a little oil left in the filter and turn the filter over. You will see the shimmer in the oil from all of the small metal particles that the magnet held inside the filter.

---------- Post added at 09:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 PM ----------

Using magnets to catch any metal shavings is common. Ask Porsche. They have always used a magnet in the transmission pan to catch any shavings that may occur. BTW .. this should not be a concern >> "it isn't all that comforting that the head and flange looks noticeably less substantial than stock" because the only purpose of a drain plug is just that a plug. A drain plug serves no mechanical purpose so a smaller head would not make it a weaker plug.

So, is this more of an inspection tool than a preventative measure? I would imagine that the oil filter would keep the oil clean enough and if you have any significant metal shavings showing up in your oil pan then you've probably got more problems than a magnet can fix. I'm just trying to understand the purpose of this. Also, it isn't all that comforting that the head and flange looks noticeably less substantial than stock.

 

[Vash]

Thanks for the answers to my questions. While I'm not sure I'm sold since the stock plug is already magnetized and I haven't heard any horror stories due to lack of OEM plug performance, I do like that the aftermarket plug is electroless nickel plated. Also, fair point on the lesser head and flange size. It isn't like it's a high torque application. The torque spec is only 17 ft-lbs on the oil drain plug. I'm also definitely looking forward to a review of the Mag-hytec transmission pan when it's available. The whole sealed for life thing is stupid to me and just makes those supposed fewer services more difficult due to lack of drain plugs and/or hard to access dipsticks if there is one at all. I've been pleased with the Mag-hytec diff cover thus far. I'll continue to follow this thread and maybe I'll go ahead and purchase some stronger magnetic drain plugs as one of those cheap insurance type purchases or just another way to blow money on my Raptor.

In addition, I think it would be nice if someone using the magnets had an oil analysis done on samples with and without the magnets to see if there was a noticeably quantifiable effect.

 

[Ruger]

Vash wrote: "The whole sealed for life thing is stupid to me and just makes those supposed fewer services more difficult due to lack of drain plugs and/or hard to access dipsticks if there is one at all. I've been pleased with the Mag-hytec diff cover thus far."

I agree on all points. I think that "sealed for life" is code for "we saved a couple of pennies at your expense, sucker." I too am delighted with my Mag-Hytec differential cover. It has remarkable innovations (for Ford, anyway) of a fill plug, a drain plug with a magnet, and a dipstick with a magnet.

 

[MTF]

Raptor911,

I retracted my statement in my first post #5 "The stock bolt is not magnetic"

 

[Raptor911]

Thank you for the update. I have been trying to locate my stock plug to confirm but I can't find it on my work bench! GRRRRR!

Raptor911,

I retracted my statement in my first post #5 "The stock bolt is not magnetic"

 

[Vash]

If the stock plug isn't magnetic, then that changes might purchase decision since there's more of a value add with aftermarket now.

 

[Ruger]

In case anyone wants to get magnetic drain plugs for the differentials or the transfer case, you need 1/2 inch NPT.

 

[Vash]

I went ahead and ordered an engine oil drain plug. I figured it can't hurt. So, do you have to use a new crush washer every time you change the oil?

 

[Raptor911]

No. These crush washers are not easily crushed unless you torque it like hell. They last for several oil changes.

I went ahead and ordered an engine oil drain plug. I figured it can't hurt. So, do you have to use a new crush washer every time you change the oil?

---------- Post added at 06:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 PM ----------

I am confused. The stock rear diff does not have a drain plug and therefore guys switch mag-hytec type rear covers, which comes with a magnetic drain plug. Does the front diff have a drain plug? I guess I need to crawl under my truck

In case anyone wants to get magnetic drain plugs for the differentials or the transfer case, you need 1/2 inch NPT.