Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gray junk on oil drain plug magnet

[Jdonoghue]

Just finished changing the oil for the first time since I installed the drain plug with the magnet on it. There was some gray stuff on the magnet, not very much, just a thin 'film' of it on the magnet. Is this normal? Or is something going south now that the warranty is over with? I've never had a magnetic plug in anything before.

 

[ata]

Sounds like normal wear metals if it's just a thin coat. It's when you get a big glob from oil change to oil change you should worry.

 

[Hoefler]

Sounds like normal wear metals if it's just a thin coat. It's when you get a big glob from oil change to oil change you should worry.

Ditto. As long as you have any kind of metal to metal contact between components, you have to expect some wear. As long as it is only a light coating and no chunks you are OK.

 

[PWelsh]

I noticed the same gray stuff on the differential plugs when I changed the fluid in my front and rear differential at 15K. I cleaned it off and it will be interesting to note if that much accumulates again in the next 15K miles.

 

[ESorensen]

When in doubt, send it out... . for analysis that is. Kits are available from Geno's etc.

 

[Jdonoghue]

I collected some of the oil as I was draining it out, I'm going to send it to Blackstone and see what they say about it. But from the feedback I've recieved so far, it sounds normal.