VAP

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/711/magnefinecutaway.jpg"></center><p>
in order to better understand it's internals and why I'm leaking ferrous particles past its magnetic trapping system.

I can start right off-the-bat by saying the Magnefine magnet is nothing special at all. It's a simple ceramic magnet cut off in a +/-.278" thick wafer from a long tube of ceramic magnet tube stock that has a 1.750" OD x a .875" ID. Magnet is simply cut off the longer tube and not machined for wafer-to-wafer identical thickness. They rely instead on a plastic spring cage assembly between magnet &amp; filter body in pic to compress more or less and compensate for wafer thickness when the 2 reservoir halves are pressed together when sealing.

Magnet is not very strong as in this size it wont even lift 6lbs of iron as tested. Does lift 5.82lbs. Whereas my tiny little Neodymium magnets used in my reservoir's dipstick will lift over 22lbs each and they're only 10mmx6mmx2mm or about 1/32th the mass of the Magnefine magnet.

But the real problem for me is where the magnetic particles that continue to attach themselves to my dipstick magnets are coming from with the Magnefine installed. Dissection of the Magnefine has shown it could only be from 2 places, ie; either the bypass system is leaking or the rubber disc seen at opposite end of filter cartridge from magnet in pic is leaking. No other possible cause. And a leak at either location would also indicate because of the filter's design that previously filtered non-magnetic particles are constantly leaking back into the reservoir as well. And that previously trapped magnetic debris as well as non-magnetic debris is finding its way back into the reservoir. May be as simple as making that plastic spring cage stronger or eliminating it altogether and relying on o-ring seats and the 2 "srew-together" reservoir parts be tight enough when assembled to prevent leakage past the seal or o-rings. If it's caused by pressure relief then it's going to require a better pressure relief sealing mechanism

I'm now 2nd guessing my plan of going with the Magenfine Pro or opting to CNC my own cannister with super Neodymium magnet and the Magnefine particle filter or look instead for filter cartridges with a built-in bypass that has a more positive seal.

None of this should be interpreted as the Magnefine being a ****-poor design or bad product. Its just not as good as it can be and is still far, Far, FAR better than having no PS fluid filtration whatsoever.

I'm gonna have to mull this one over a bit to see just how deeply I want to delve into this and how much money I wanna throw at it.

Simmsled

Could it be that the force of fluid flow (with magnetic particles) past the magnet would be greater than the attraction force of the magnetic particles to said magnet?

VAP

I figured out the problem late this afternoon. Basically a faulty sealing ring near the filter outlet caused by filter being distorted slightly when upper/lower housng was compressed &amp; glued together.

quattro90S6

how common do you think that could be?

VAP

it's on 100% of the filters they make it still only allows a VERY small percentage of the oil to leak past the magnetic and particle filter media and get back into the reservoir unfiltered. I doubt its even as much as 5% going unfiltered and perhaps dramatically less than 1%. Its also entirely possible due to heat and use it may seal entirely or better after a certain amount of mileage. But even if that never occurs it remains better filtration than no filtration which is exactly what the car has had for the past 15-20 years!