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I did my first oil change today (that might be another thread), but while I was looking under there for the oil drain plug I noticed this and wondered what it is. It looks like there was once some sort of cap or seal around it - or it just has a stain that makes it look that way. What is this?

I was looking at mine the other day and mine's the same...the mystery hole...it does seem odd doesn't it....btw...nice clean engine..here's mine.

DJ

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It's just a plug. Don't know what goes in/out through there, but the good news is that nothing is missing. I've been looking around in the MAX BMW parts list and can't find anything.

Cheers!

Hi Kristi,
Wish you were closer to Massachusetts, would like to meet you!

Kristi!!, DJ!!!

where do i start?

Might i suggest PM's if you two are going to send each other photos depicting your "mytsery" holes.

so many jokes, so little time

Ahem,

Uh, on topic.

Last time I looked under my Roadster, the road grime was enough to cause me to scrape some with a flat bladed screwdriver...can't recall seeing the same stuff your clean engine shows. Poor memory, etc.

But manufacturers often have castings and forged parts for the robotic arms to grab and carry--remnants of the process so to speak.

And, Off topic...the boys gym class is around the corner guys....

Mike Cam

Kudos to DJ for also installing that powerful oil filter magnet . My circular magnet is the same, only a little smaller. When I cut open my oil filter for a look-see, there was a black circular shaped film that hid the shiny metal interior. The magnet works! -and- it may also help trigger the electronic stop light sensor circuit wire buried at intersections.

You're observant.
Plugs like this are common in engines but most are hidden behind timing covers or are on the rear of the engine where they can't be seen.
Plugs commonly blank off an entry point for a drill-hole for an internal oil gallery or something similar.
The most efficient method of blanking these holes is with a Welsh plug (or core plug) that is an interferance fit with a hard setting sealer applied. The stain around the edge is most probably the sealing compound.

Thank you, Keith. I guess there is nothing to worry about then. I appreciate your help.

DJ or Rob:

Where can I get the oil filter magnet?

Kristi...mine came from the disposable circuit from a heart-lung machine....so I guess you can rule that out.

You can also get very strong magnets just like it that they use to start and stop pacemakers...maybe rule that out also.

You could try a hobby shop...or others might have other ideas.

I put that magnet on mine after hearing CycleRob mention it....it seemed like a good idea....thanks CycleRob..

My only concern is that I might hit a big bump in the road and have it fall off and bounce towards oncoming traffic..or hit someone following me..

DJ

I think Robbie got his from and old microwave oven....But can't remember for sure.

I never got down low enough to notice that thing. I change my oil by sense of touch, so I can do it while sitting down!

I am amazed at how clean the engine bottom side is on the two bikes pictured! The top must be a show-case!

I must admit mine is nowhere near that clean. It gets a quick wipe with a brush and rag after an oil change.

Wayne

DJ, Cyclerob,

do you guys ever cut open your filters? have you caught much metal with these magnets? does this help the filter last longer?

You can find very strong magnets inside broken computer hard disks, they are used to move the data reading heads on the disk surface...

DJ Downunder wrote:Kristi...mine came from the disposable circuit from a heart-lung machine....so I guess you can rule that out.

You can also get very strong magnets just like it that they use to start and stop pacemakers...maybe rule that out also.

You could try a hobby shop...or others might have other ideas.

I put that magnet on mine after hearing CycleRob mention it....it seemed like a good idea....thanks CycleRob..

My only concern is that I might hit a big bump in the road and have it fall off and bounce towards oncoming traffic..or hit someone following me..

DJ

The oil filter is aluminum, did you use glue to fix the magnet on it ?

CycleRob wrote:Kudos to DJ for also installing that powerful oil filter magnet . My circular magnet is the same, only a little smaller. When I cut open my oil filter for a look-see, there was a black circular shaped film that hid the shiny metal interior. The magnet works! -and- it may also help trigger the electronic stop light sensor circuit wire buried at intersections.

The genuine BMW oil filter must be steel...when the magnet gets close..it goes..CLUNK!! (watch your fingers).. ..and it's very hard to take it off.

DJ

I'm amazed anyone is lying on their backs looking up the underside of their engines. Clean ones at that. I just do it by feel also... if I do it.

An easily accessable (cheap) source in the US for very strong magnets is...

Hobby Lobby.

They have the new rare earth magnets (very powerful) in various sizes - small ones are the size of a button watch battery and they go up from there. They appear like they are are shiney stainless steel as opposed to the "traditional" funky dark gray ones.

Pick your favorite size and stick a handful to the bottom of the oil filter. They are strong, small and with little mass, so I doubt any vehicle bump could possibly dislodge them.

They are *very* powerful - use caution with the larger sizes if two are in proximity to each other. Two coming together with a bit of skin between can raise a nice blood blister. They can also very hard to get off ferrous objects (or each other) - sliding them off an edge is advised.

I had a recent project where I used some and was amazed at their capabilities.

(goes off to put some on his oil filter...)

Link to an online source:

http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?sub ... tegory=117

First item on page is example of rare earth magnets.

Sixth item on page is the above mentioned pacemaker donut magnet.