I have about 10,000 miles on my '09 Ram. When I switched to mobil 1 a while back I noticed some valve train noise upon start up. After doing some homework on the issue, I found that some other people had similiar issues. Not just with the Mopar engines, it was hit or miss across the board.

So I couldnt stand it any longer and changed my oil at 4500 miles. I collected a sample of it and sent it in to be tested. I wanted to see what was going on in my new engine.

Here are the results;


I was so relieved! Wix Filters Rock!

I am tempted to pick up a filter magnet and stick on the filter to help removed what iron is being passed through.

Does anyone have any experience with them? I am looking at this one:
http://www.jegs.com/i/FilterMAG/384/HP365/10002/-1

I use both a filter and an oil plug magnet. I've never really checked on the filter magnet, but the oil plug magnet always picks up metal that I can see during my oil changes.

I run one on my daily driver. I have cut the filter open a few times and it will always have a small collection of iron particles where the magnet sat. Not a lot, but enough to see that it's doing something.

I also run a napa gold filter, which is made by wix.

wouldn't a magnet on the filter possibly cause it to clog?

I would at least get a magnetic drain plug

If the magnet is collecting enough metal to physically clog the oil filter the engine would be junk at that point.

I've had this discussion with a great mechanic with 40+ years experience. He feels that pressure and flow are too great inside the oil filter for a weak magnet to have full effect. I run a magnetic drain plug on all my cars. Inside the trans pan I have a strong "earth" magnet on my old HP cars (newer stuff already has a magnet in the pan), and on the outside of the oil pan on the engine. Oil will make its way down to the pan and get pulled to the magnet, even when the vehicle is not running.

the majority of the circulating grit in the oil is usually not metallic ... unless the equipment is at a steel mill or taconite mine

nothing wrong with a magnet,
it just does not produce 'miracles'

And if the metal gets to the filter,just how would it go any farther.

I have a large magnet I use during cam break in that covers teh end of the filter... But I dont place a ton of faith in it... just something that sounded like a good idea. And it doesnt get used during any other time...lol.

Could always put a couple hard drive magnets on the bottom of the oil pan. Those magnets are pretty tough and after you key off they would definitely collect any shavings suspended in the oil.