Magnetic Oil Plug Size

Post by **vjaneczko** » 22 May 2011, 15:54

Hey guys, as you can see I have two oil plugs - on the left is the magnetic one I got from FCP and on the right is the original. When I was installing the new one, it didn't go in all the way. Is it supposed to be this long or is this the wrong one for our cars?

Post by **jimmy57** » 22 May 2011, 16:58

the one on the right is not OEM for any white motor.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 22 May 2011, 17:29

Wow, I wonder where it came from?!

So the real question - is the one on the left too long or are the threads in my pan f'ed?

toolmanjsp · Post by **toolmanjsp** » 22 May 2011, 18:23

I've put a couple of the magnetic plugs in and the thread length is indeed a few millimeters longer than the original plug. With the first I reasoned that the innermost threads in the pan were not cut all the way because I could not feel anything else that could be preventing the plug from going in. So, I just worked it in carefully and it seated OK and has been fine ever since.

With the wagon, I had the pan off to do "O" rings and put in the mag plug at the same time. Looking inside the pan, I could see that my earlier theory was correct; they did not run the tap clear through the hole and the innermost bore doesn't get threaded all of the way through. I worked in the magnetic plug while watching it on both sides and didn't see any damage, it just cut the final thread or so.

So, I was successful for two. Just work it in carefully, back and forth for a bit and I think you will be fine. Another option would be to grind or turn down the outermost 2 or 3 threads of the plug.

I get a little bit of steel or iron fuzz on mine at every oil change.

Post by **jimmy57** » 22 May 2011, 19:41

the magnetic one looks the same if not a little shorter than stock.
The early ones are 18MM long w/o seal and late ones are almost 23 mm long.
The threads are cut full length so the longer will fit early cars originally having the short ones.

Post by **cn90** » 22 May 2011, 20:29

Just curious if you can use OEM drain plug but attach a round magnet ($0.50 at hardware store) at the end of the drain plug???

SimLyons · Post by **SimLyons** » 22 May 2011, 21:14

I'd stick with the attached magnet. Can't vibrate off center and get stuck in the drain hole when you pull the plug out. Or you could try it and let us know...?

Post by **JDS60R** » 22 May 2011, 21:32

Regular magnets will lose their magnetism at aprox 170 degrees. The oil runs much hotter and you do not want an ex-magnet floating around in the engine. I drill out the plugs I make and attach high heat/high magnetic strength magnets with epoxy that can handle 600 degrees.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 22 May 2011, 21:46

JDS60R wrote:Regular magnets will lose their magnetism at aprox 170 degrees. The oil runs much hotter and you do not want an ex-magnet floating around in the engine. I drill out the plugs I make and attach high heat/high magnetic strength magnets with epoxy that can handle 600 degrees.

Would you consider selling these?

Post by **JDS60R** » 22 May 2011, 22:26

Ed,

I was making and selling them for a while. I was using a real Volvo plug and a specialized magnet. The sales price came in around $10 per plug. I found that you can buy non Volvo replacement magnetic plugs for $5 that still use a nickel plated high heat neodymium magnet. There are a few retailers (gold plug etc) who sell the oil drain plug and that is all that most people want. The only time I make them anymore is usually when someone wants a whole set. I can make you an oil plug if thats what you want but it would be cheaper and faster to get it from Gold Plug or any other manufacturer.

For most of my friends with AWD I make a set that goes with my Synthetic Stage 0.
The set includes one of each:
Oil drain plug
Trans drain plug
Power steering reservoir plate
Bevel gear plug
Center differential/Haldex plug
Rear Diff plug

When they come over, I install the plugs after flushing all of their fluids to high quality synthetics. Removing the slag from each of the fluids has really helped with longevity.