Speaking of drain plugs...

[tgkBarney]

The lower drain screw on my gearcase ('77 85hp V4) had the magnet tip on it. The guy at the marina said it really wasn't necessary and sold me a plain screw.<br /><br />What do you guys think? Stick with the magnet tip or don't bother with it?<br /><br />Chris

 

[angus63]

Re: Speaking of drain plugs...

Magnet will pick up fine metal shavings. One, it tells you to check out the issue. Two, it keeps the filings from churning up in the gears. Flyin blind without it.

 

[JB]

Re: Speaking of drain plugs...

Yeah. What Angus said.<br /><br />My guess is that the guy didn't have a plug with a magnet to sell you.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Speaking of drain plugs...

What happened to the screw with the magnet on it?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Speaking of drain plugs...

Dhadley! want to guess where that magnet went? As for picking up metalic particles, that is what the magnet is for. If you have filing's, or shaving's, that magnet won't save a thing. Fine particles are common. If you rub them between your fingers, they will literaly disappear. All metallic parts wear, and that wear has to be somewhere. The magnet simply pull's them from the lube out of seperation.That magnet may prolong you gearcase, it won't save it from outside damage.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Speaking of drain plugs...

Magnetic drain plug? Good practice!<br /><br />But if the magnet's that important, how come most legs, stern drives, cars, trucks and the like don't bother to fit one any more? Maybe modern oils are so good, and we stick to the oil-change routine so faithfully, that we don't need them!<br /><br />Incidentally, when draining and refilling a leg, it is also good practice - as everyone knows - to run the thing in gear for a while to warm and churn everything up.<br /><br />There ain't no substitute for common sense.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Speaking of drain plugs...

Magnet in gear case? My experience with car manual transmissions is that it is an excellent practice. I am always amazed at how much metal is pulled from the gear lube in a transmission that is wearing normally. I have seen a magnet inside a 5 speed that collected a metalic goo larger than a golf ball. That trans was wearing and running properly. <br /><br />It just makes sense to keep the free floating metal out of the lube. Think of the magnet as your oil filter.

 

[tgkBarney]

Re: Speaking of drain plugs...

Looks like most prefer the magnet! I'm sure the guy had magnetized screws in stock but was trying to save me some money- he did ask which I wanted. I think I'll get the magnetized one for the next lube change. <br /><br />I was glad to see no shavings on the one I pulled out before! Unless of course it was so old it lost its pull!