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Showerthought: I called those magnetic oil drain plugs a scam until my buddy's truck proved me wrong

For years, I told anyone who would listen that magnetic drain plugs were just a way to sell you an extra part. I figured if you changed your oil on time with good filters, you didn't need one. Then my friend with a 6.7 Powerstroke in his F-350 had me help with an oil change last month. He'd been running one for about 30,000 miles. When we pulled his plug, it was covered in a fine, gritty metal fuzz, way more than just normal wear particles. It wasn't chunks, but it was enough to make me pause. That stuff was stuck to the magnet instead of circulating. Now I'm wondering if they're actually worth it for catching early signs of trouble, especially in high-mileage engines. What's the verdict here, are they a legit diagnostic tool or still just peace of mind?
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2 Comments
wren_ellis12
Yeah, I saw a video where a mechanic said they're great for catching that initial break-in wear on new engines too. Makes sense they'd help spot problems early.
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patel.leo
patel.leo27d ago
Guess I'll eat my words now.
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