2017 Sprinter magnetic oil sump plug?

[Bonnypitlad]

I’m about to complete “A” service on my Sprinter, lessons learned from first time was to ensure I have a waste oil container large enough with enough clearance to remove when full ( I spilled oil on my drive) because approximately 11.5 litres came out
I now have a good oil filter removal socket
I thought this time I may as well fit a magnetic oil sump plug and crush washer to hopefully trap any dwarf in the oil
Anyone have experience of replacing with these magnetised plugs?, are they worth it, they seem to be M14 x 1.5, is there a maximum length?
I would appreciate any recommendations and links to products
Thanks
Bloody predictive text!, no I haven’t been soaking dwarves in oil

 

[StMarks]

I don't have a magnetic sump plug on my Vito, because I work on the theory that the (exceptionally knowledgeable, well funded and fully accountable) design team at Mercedes obviously didn't feel it would serve a worthwhile purpose.

As an aside, and not related to the above opinion whatsoever.
About 10 years ago a friend of mine brought a magnetic sump plug from Fleabay for his Kawasaki Ninja. The plug actually sheared off (thread from head!) at below the manufacturer's torque setting.
It was an utter mare to remove the broken section from the sump pan (that was where I was roped in). When we did eventually get it out & inspected it we could see that the magnetic section was an insert, leaving a stupidly thin wall to the threaded section. The cheese soft metal it was made from didn't help either.
Obviously the product he brought was micky-mouse quality, and presumably there are decent ones available . However you may want to be aware, because he was annoyed that he had lost about 2litres of newly replaced oil onto his workshop floor. You already discovered that the potential for you would be more "problematic".

Hth

 

[Petrol Pete]

If you have a metal canister oil filter simply buy a small pack of Neodymium magnets and slap them on the outside. A fair bit of 'glitter' in old oil is particles of non ferrous metals so magnets not much use.

 

[optimusprime]

I have one in place of my sump plug . and also on the top of my spin off oil filter,,, also stick on magnet on the outside of the auto box sump. .

 

[Trickythemerc]

I have a gold magnetic sump plug in the CLK. I use a vac pump for oil changes so the plug only comes out every thirty K miles when I decide to do a conventional oil change.

 

[Tonygw]

I've used them in the past on various cars. After each oil change there was always an amount of metal swarf on the magnet. I think they are worth it, as long as you buy a good quality one, what have you got to lose?

The hardest part was getting the thing back in when the oil sump was mild steel, almost impossible as the magnet was so strong it simply stuck to the outside of the sump plug hole. fun times. Should be easier on mercs as they sumps are either plastic or ally.

 

[Bonnypitlad]

Thankyou for your responses, it seems the general consensus is “ what have you got to lose?”
On the last oil change I placed several neodymium magnets in the torx head of the sump plug ( wrapped in a piece of old tights so I can pull them out to loosen the plug)
I did the same on the gearbox and rear differential plugs
I did order a magnetised stainless steel plug for the next oil change from EBay but it’s taking it’s time to travel from the Land of Chin
I’ll take “ before & after” photos at the oil change to see if any debris has been collected and how strong the new embedded magnet is
I got 20L drum of Mannol (MB Approval 228.51) from Truck Cube Ltd for £74.39 delivered

 

[geoffus]

Interesting to note that Mercedes fit magnets in the gearbox, at least in my auto box, but not in the engine ?
Perhaps because oil and filter changes are more regular or there is less steel on steel wear in the engine.

 

[Smiley]

Interesting to note that Mercedes fit magnets in the gearbox, at least in my auto box, but not in the engine ?
Perhaps because oil and filter changes are more regular or there is less steel on steel wear in the engine.

It's probably because the engine components are a little more robust and will survive a higher level of fluid degradation than the autobox components.

 

[Gazwould]

Stainless Steel Gold Plug , the Chinese knock offs tend to be aluminium .

Gold Plug manufactures Magnetic Sump Drain Plugs of the highest quality. | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

Gold Plug manufactures Magnetic Sump Drain Plugs of the highest quality. Constructed from a 303 Stainless Steel body that houses the strongest, highest temperature, N45SH Neodymium magnet available. The magnet is secured in place with a proprietary 2 step process and will never come out...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[geoffus]

Stainless Steel Gold Plug , the Chinese knock offs tend to be aluminium .

Gold Plug manufactures Magnetic Sump Drain Plugs of the highest quality. | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

Gold Plug manufactures Magnetic Sump Drain Plugs of the highest quality. Constructed from a 303 Stainless Steel body that houses the strongest, highest temperature, N45SH Neodymium magnet available. The magnet is secured in place with a proprietary 2 step process and will never come out...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

View attachment 132646

Interesting link that some think magnets are not necessary in a modern engine.

"The strong Neodymium magnet collects any swarf or wear particles missed by the oil filter, these particles are abrasive and potentially damaging"

Quote from the advert worrying that your engine filter will miss swarf ?

 

[Petrol Pete]

As I alluded to in post #3 most of the gunk in the engine/transmission is not even magnetic but what harm can a few magnets do (kept away from sensitive electronics of course) ?

Personally I would prefer a ferrous sump plug with a magnet in as opposed to a non ferrous one , that way there would be no chance of the magnet popping out of the plug as it would be ...er ..attracted to the plug.

 

[geoffus]

Of course magnets will help the flow of oil, they are used extensively with people suffering arthritis.

 

[Bellow]

Interesting to note that Mercedes fit magnets in the gearbox, at least in my auto box, but not in the engine ?
Perhaps because oil and filter changes are more regular or there is less steel on steel wear in the engine.

Probably because the steel clutch plates and brake surfaces are expected to wear in much the same way brake discs do even if the pads wear faster.