Dropped $65 on a magnetic oil drain plug kit and I finally get why the forums call it a gimmick

Jenny Carr · 2026-09-15T11:00:04.097993+00:00

I bought one of those gold magnetic drain plug kits 8 months ago because a guy at the parts counter swore it would catch metal bits and save my engine. Pulled the plug at my last oil change in my driveway and the magnet had basically nothing on it, just normal gray sludge that wipes off any drain plug anyway. Meanwhile I spent $65 between the plug and a fancy filter cutter to check for shavings, money that should have gone toward a $20 oil test kit from Blackstone. What actually caught a problem was a 50 cent crush washer I almost skipped, my pan was seeping a quart every 1,500 miles because the old washer was flat. I still think the magnet idea sounds smart but after 3 oil changes showing nothing, I'm calling it a waste for a healthy motor. Anyone here actually get useful metal off one of these, or is sending a sample to a lab just the better move?

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Dropped $65 on a magnetic oil drain plug kit and I finally get why the forums call it a gimmick | Automotive Diy - The Community Guide