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[Cliffo B]

Does anybody know why Omegas have not got a magnetic engine sump plug?Is it a cost issue or a tech reason,when I changed my autobox fluid I was pleasantly surprised to find a magnetic swarf collecting block welded to the floor of the autobox main sump. I now find myself needing a magnetic sump plug for miggies 3.2 engine.I think it's a very good diagnostic tool to read on every oil change.I've made enquiries at main dealers and VX have'nt done them for years, so unless there to be had from accessory dealers looks as if I will be makeing one. Does any member happen to know if there available anywhere?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Trouble is that most of the items that would wear are non ferrous!

[Cliffo B]

Yes but dont they bear on ferrous? Its that that I used read. If its in a moderate amount and a fine grey mud a joy to behold.I suppose the non ferrous can be read from the colour and condition of the oil

[aaronjb]

If you really want to know what's in your oil, you need to be sending samples of each oil change off to a chemical analysis company .. I don't know of anyone using one in the UK so I can't recommend one sadly (in the US the 'most used' seems to be Blackstone Labs), but this one popped up in Google:

http://www.monition.com/engine_oil_analysis.htm?gclid=CKXrjeHap6QCFQGY2AodEA5H4g

£15 a sample - trend your results over oil changes and watch for changes to see what components in the engine are wearing by what metals and other compounds are present.

[Cliffo B]

Yes I suppose if you need that sort of presision, IE warranty disputes when you can't use sump plug evidence for obvious reasons, or time is of the essence. I only want early warning of trouble as course swarf or filings do indicate, and the beauty of it is i'ts free, and costs no time on oil change

[scimmy_man]

If you really want to know what's in your oil, you need to be sending samples of each oil change off to a chemical analysis company .. I don't know of anyone using one in the UK so I can't recommend one sadly (in the US the 'most used' seems to be Blackstone Labs), but this one popped up in Google:

http://www.monition.com/engine_oil_analysis.htm?gclid=CKXrjeHap6QCFQGY2AodEA5H4g

£15 a sample - trend your results over oil changes and watch for changes to see what components in the engine are wearing by what metals and other compounds are present.

I think Miller oils will do an oil sample test for you.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes but dont they bear on ferrous? Its that that I used read. If its in a moderate amount and a fine grey mud a joy to behold.I suppose the non ferrous can be read from the colour and condition of the oil

By the time you see ferrous its to late!

E.g. a big end bearing, the white metal coat would have gone first an be knocking nicely.

Other key thing is that failures often occur fairly quickly so you would get no warning unless you did an oil change the day before 

[Cliffo B]

If you see my recent post in General Help section re crankshaft sensor that picked up some nasty fileing type swarf which was on top of the very fine swarf. It's possible I suppose thats what could have caused the error code so maybe you can understand where I am comeing from,with regard to the sump plug, anyhow I've now replaced the sensor and up to press the cars ok.Still leaves me worried and am now engaged in learning the omega bottom end layout to try and source where this debris came from. Have just drained the sump oil and this is clean. Tomorrow will be checking new sensor is clear (done about 30mls)  I can take on board what you say about magnetic sump plugs its just that it will grab and hold some swarf for observation every oil change.Been and got a new sump plug and have a magnetic pick up tool end that is perfect to fit on.   

[Kevin Wood]

Well, the crank sensor is magnetic, of course.

.. and the nose of it sits inside the crankcase adjucent to a reluctor ring on the crankshaft so it will be splashed with engine oil and collect any metal filings.

Was it the original crank sensor? (i.e. was the wiring routed up with the oil cooler pipes?)

If so I'm guessing that metal was probably a result of the initial bedding-in of the engine components and not the reason for the sensor failure nor anything to worry about in terms of the engine condition.

Crank sensors tend to fail because the wiring gets too hot routed where it is, and eventually the insulation fails.

Kevin

[Cliffo B]

Thanks Kevin,I'll go along with that, have checked the new sensor and its clean. Drained the sump oil initially with car up high at rear and then with car up at front and oil was totally clear of any fileings. I got involved in converting the oil filter to the spin on type so am going in to the main dealer tomorrow for the part thats needed.I'm on good relations with the parts staff their helpfull and seem to care, one did me a print out of the exploded bottom end parts layout (sumps etc),looks a bit major to drop the upper alloy cast sumps so I'll have to be certain remedial work is needed before I go for that.I'll keep an eye on the  sensor from time to time and for the 1st few hundred miles give extra attention to engine noise.