Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

[Duddy03]

Sad to say that my scooter might sit till this fall before I get to ride it.  I'm visiting grandkids in London, England.  My 2-hour "free" time in the evenings is spent on reading this forum and the Cyclepedia Service Manual.  The manual says that the left side oil drain plug is an M12 X 1.25.  I assume the 1.25 is in centimeters.  I want to order a magnetic oil drain plug and there seems to be several sources with quality products.  I also hope to buy the Toyota Teflon washers, P/N 90430-12031.  Since I haven't heard anyone talk about a magnetic drain plug in the past, are any of you aware of anything I need to be concerned about?

There are thousands of scooters running around London.  Many are Vepas; I haven't seen a KYMCO yet although there is a dealer less than 2 miles from me.  Their ad talks about the 125 cc Like.  If any of you are in London, let me know.

[MJR]

The manual says that the left side oil drain plug is an M12 X 1.25.  I assume the 1.25 is in centimeters.

Metric bolt, yes 12mm x 1.25mm thread size but no length listed like this 12(thread diameter)x1.25(thread pitch)x20(bolt length)

[Duddy03]

Thanks MJR.

I need to learn the nomenclature for metric bolts - I am visiting London in the middle of "metric country."  This thread isn't appearing to cause much interest.  But I'm learning a lot about the value of magnetic oil drain plugs.  So I will pass on more info within a few days for those who might be interested in making their scooters last longer. 

[Stig / Major Tom]

Bazillion of them on eBay.(How far is Beijing from London?)
I know some folks swear by these.
I always figured that it little bits of ferrous metals come floating around in my scooter's alloy engine oil - it is too late for a magnet.
Like a dust pan at a nuclear plant.
So, I'll just do freq. oil changes and use good stuff.
Here you go:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H1.X12x1.25+magnetic+oil.TRS0&_nkw=12x1.25+magnetic+oil&_sacat=0
Stig

[gn2]

I haven't heard anyone talk about a magnetic drain plug in the past, are any of you aware of anything I need to be concerned about?

The magnetic inserts in these plugs can come loose and cause internal damage.
Particles can form magnetised clumps on the plug and these can break off.

[Duddy03]

I always figured that it little bits of ferrous metals come floating around in my scooter's alloy engine oil - it is too late for a magnet.  Like a dust pan at a nuclear plant.  So, I'll just do freq. oil changes and use good stuff.  Here you go:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H1.X12x1.25+magnetic+oil.TRS0&_nkw=12x1.25+magnetic+oil&_sacat=0  Stig

The magnets I was looking for are exactly like the ones in the above link - thanks.  However, I found a different type which has really caught my attention.  Information can be found at http://www.magneticoildrainplugs.co.uk/Why_Fit_A_Magnetic_Oil_Drain_Plug.html   It is a different type of magnet called a neodymium magnet and is sold as the Dimpleâ„¢ Super Drain Plug.  The claimed advantage of this oil drain plug is that it is much stronger than other magnets, does not loose it strength over time because of engine temperatures and is built never to come apart.  (Yes, gn2, as you said, many of the magnetic plugs on the market fall apart over time.)  I wish a magnet could remove every particle in the oil that is potentially harmful.  But, of course, it only removes ferrous materials so frequent oil changes are still the way to go.  This posting is not a testimonial!  There is another link for a distributor of this drain plug in the USA.  The price seems expensive but premium products deserve premium prices and I've saved a lot of money over the years by buying things that actually do what they claim.  I'll probably buy this product once I get back to the States.

[MJR]

But, of course, it only removes ferrous materials so frequent oil changes are still the way to go.

Yes and if your getting a lot of ferrous metal on a magnet you've probably got some other issue or if you get a lot of non-ferrous metal your bearings could be going bad too.