Magnetic drain plugs

Are these just internet voodoo or are they actually useful? It seems to me that if you have bits of metal in your oil you have bigger problems.

Many of the metal bits will not be magnetic since they are not steel but instead alloys of non-magnetic metals. That said, how can a magnetic drain plug hurt?

BMW motorcycles have had magnetic transmission drain plugs for a while. Most new owners freak out when they see metal on them the first time they change the fluid, but the fact is, they'll always have a little metal on them.

I suppose the thinking is that they'll have the effect of keeping some larger floating particulates out of your oil filter and let the filter do its job on the smaller stuff.

You already have bits of metal in your oil. It's when you have many/large bits of metal that the problems start.

I use a magnetic plug whenever possible, but it's not going to save your motor if there's a problem. I use it more to inform me how much crud is floating around so I can take appropriate steps.

Ok I had them in my old Civic but I never had metal on them which is why I was wondering. Can I find them at the local auto parts store or do I have to order them off the internet?

AutoZone will have them

good stuff:

http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/magneticdrainplugshome.html

If you want to see something scary, pull the drain plug from the transmission of a MINI - especially the Coopers with the Midlands... I pulled one once that looked like a chia-pet... I've pulled couple from Getreg equiped MCS's that weren't much better.

Fiat started using magnetic drain plugs in their transmissions back in the 60's.