Am going to be changing the oil and filter in my Octavia soon and thought I'd get a new sump plug (£1.49 delivered isn't a deal breaker) just in case I damage or lose the current one and came across these magnetic sump plugs for £5.45 delivered.

Then there are these 'extra special' magnetic ones for a lot more.

If they do actually attract metal particles from the oil I guess it would be some evidence of this on the sump plug when it's removed in the future. In which case, it is probably worth the extra money.

On the other hand, it could be a myth and these don't do anything at all (other than hold the oil in).

Has anyone got any experience, positive or negative, with magnetic sump plugs they would like to share?

Thanks.

Being a bus mechanic I see a lot of sump bungs fitted with magnets, and maintaining a high mileage older fleet, I rarely see a bung without metal filings on the magnets, so they do work, I have never had a car with one fitted but I'd be interested to see how many filings a car engine would produce during a service interval.

Being a bus mechanic I see a lot of sump bungs fitted with magnets, and maintaining a high mileage older fleet, I rarely see a bung without metal filings on the magnets, so they do work, I have never had a car with one fitted but I'd be interested to see how many filings a car engine would produce during a service interval.

I've used them in the past, including gearboxes which was more beneficial, and they do work. It's certainly a worth while purchase mate

Thank you people.

If there is some 'significant' benefit to using one then it would be worth me researching it further and choosing a better quality one as there are stories of the cheaper ones being less than effective once the engine / oil gets hot.

If any one else has opinions or links to decent sites regarding this, I'd like to hear.

Been doing a bit more reading around (not the manufacturers marketing websites) and came across this train of thought:

A magnetic oil drain plug is just for inspection. In short, you should never see any metal shavings on it. If you do, it means you have engine damage/worn components and need a rebuild.

Any truth in this?

I have an ECS one. It usually has a few little bits stuck to it.

I have an ECS one. It usually has a few little bits stuck to it.

How old / how many miles on your car? Trying to gauge whether there is merit in the quote I gave above.

Car is 9 years old with 120,000km on the clock.

You'll always get particle shavings in your oil. You never notice it before as it's mixed in.

Before using a magnetic plug, I'd use tights and filter the oil into another container, and see what was lurking in the midst. Engines wear down, just as long as it runs smoothly and is well looked after and maintained will pre-long any major failure from happening

My previous car had one. When I changed the oil I did find metal filings in it. However the engine wasn't the only thing the oil lubricated. (A-series with gearbox in sump).

My previous car had one. When I changed the oil I did find metal filings in it. However the engine wasn't the only thing the oil lubricated. (A-series with gearbox in sump).

Mini's.... Best car ever made

It wasn't a mini, but had the same engine in it. (998cc A+ series).

It wasn't a mini, but had the same engine in it. (998cc A+ series).

The only other one I can think of would have been a Riley or a Wolseley ?

The only other one I can think of would have been a Riley or a Wolseley ?

Nope

1981 Austin mini-Metro.

P.S. I apologise to the OP for going a little off-topic.

No probs.

Does look like another 'old' engine with a magnetic plug though...

Nope

1981 Austin mini-Metro.

P.S. I apologise to the OP for going a little off-topic.

Awesome! Not many around these days