DIY magnetic oil plug.

Sometimes you do want a magnetic oil plug, but can't get your hands on one, or the stores are all out of them. Then it's possible to make your own.

 

Or you may just have the reason "Because I can".

 

Anyway, here is how I did it.

 

Start out with the stock oil plug and a magnet with a center hole. Many hobby shops has a large set of cheap and strong magnets. I found a really strong magnet for this.

 

Drill a 2.5mm hole in the plug and thread it with an M3 tap at the center. Make sure you clean the hole completely from oil and shavings before continuing. Use some powerful degreaser to make sure, since the screw shall be locked with a thread lock compound.

http://www.bedug.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1595&g2_serialNumber=2

 

Place the magnet on top of the plug.

http://www.bedug.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1602&g2_serialNumber=2

 

Put thread lock compound on the screw. Not really as much as I did in the pic. It's sufficient to wet the thread, not the surface below.

http://www.bedug.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1612&g2_serialNumber=2

 

Insert the screw and let the compound settle.

http://www.bedug.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1617&g2_serialNumber=2

 

Of course - it's important that the diameter of the magnet is smaller than the diameter of the plug.

http://www.bedug.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1622&g2_serialNumber=2

 

At the next oil change it will be interesting to see what's caught. Make sure to use a magnetic screw. That way the screw will stick to the magnet even if it for some weird reason decides to go AWOL. And since the oil tray is magnetic the magnet will stay around even if it leaves the plug for some obscure reason. So I would say that this is a safe mod.

 

The advantage of a magnetic oil plug is that it can catch metal shavings and odd objects floating around in the engine. Oil filters can't catch everything and some metal shavings can tear the oil filter or cause damage to the oil pump.

 

Trivia: The Subaru oil plug has the same diameter and threading as the oil filter so the oil plug will fit into the oil filter hole.

I've heard bad things about magnetic oil plugs.

 

Trivia: The Subaru oil plug has the same diameter and threading as the oil filter so the oil plug will fit into the oil filter hole.

 

 

<---- Waits for someone to ask how they are supposed to install their filter once it's "plugged"

 

Nice job BTW. An easier way that a friend of mine did for a few years was just put a 1" cylinder neo-magnet onto the head of the plug once you get it reinstalled...lol. Not nearly as nice as yours though.

Nice job! I thought about running a filter magnet on my Legacy but haven't gotten around to ordering one yet. I also just place a magnet onto the drain plug. It's somewhat effective and actually stays put pretty well. I'm too concerned about warranty issues to do what you did. I'd rather not give the dealership any reason to deny a warranty claim based on a modification, even if the mod is something that helps to enhance engine protection.

<---- Waits for someone to ask how they are supposed to install their filter once it's "plugged"

 

It also opens up for a whole new set of pranks to pull on your friends!

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I bought a magnetic oil plug and it didn't fit because the magnet was too long and hit whatever was inside the hole. If you stick your finger in the hole, something is there, I just don't know what it is. I was refunded my money and was told to keep the plug, I guess as a paperweight?

I bought a magnetic oil plug and it didn't fit because the magnet was too long and hit whatever was inside the hole. If you stick your finger in the hole, something is there, I just don't know what it is. I was refunded my money and was told to keep the plug, I guess as a paperweight?

 

Did you buy the GReddy plug? I dont think any other magnetic drain plug has the magnet protruding from the plug itself.

Subaru has haphazardly installed oil pans that have a drain baffle to prevent the gusher of oil. It's use seems to be random. I guess the 2011 has it.

 

I have the Greddy plug, and it works fine. Best feature, is that you can't drop it into your oil catch bucket. Unscrew it, and it drops out and sticks to the pan.