enginerd Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 Was looking to buy a magnetic differential drain plug for the e30. The usual suspects are selling them for >$20 which seems a bit much for my liking. I would like to make my own rather than pay that much. I'm thinking a 1/2"x1/4" (or so) cylindrical neodymium magnet, drill a recess in a stock plug, and JB weld it in place. Obviously this will be far more efficient if I make 5-10 vs. 1. Would anyone else be interested in one of these plugs? $10+ shipping (or deliver to track) is about what I would need to cover my costs. Without enough interest I'll probably just keep running with the stock, non magnetic version (debris in diff hasn't been an issue for us so far!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi_Im_Will Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 (edited) On 3/14/2017 at 2:43 AM, enginerd said: Was looking to buy a magnetic differential drain plug for the e30. The usual suspects are selling them for >$20 which seems a bit much for my liking. I would like to make my own rather than pay that much. I'm thinking a 1/2"x1/4" (or so) cylindrical neodymium magnet, drill a recess in a stock plug, and JB weld it in place. Obviously this will be far more efficient if I make 5-10 vs. 1. Would anyone else be interested in one of these plugs? $10+ shipping (or deliver to track) is about what I would need to cover my costs. Without enough interest I'll probably just keep running with the stock, non magnetic version (debris in diff hasn't been an issue for us so far!). Make it magnetic with an integrated 1/8" NPT hole for a temp sender and I'm in. Edited March 15, 2017 by Hi_Im_Will 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skierman64 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 4 hours ago, Hi_Im_Will said: Make it magnetic with an integrated 1/8" NPT hole for a temp sender and I'm in. I'm not sure I really want to know my diff temp. If I did know, what would I do with that info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted March 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, skierman64 said: I'm not sure I really want to know my diff temp. If I did know, what would I do with that info? +1 No failures on our diff yet so I have no need to see what temp it's running at other than to say "Our diff operates at XXX-XXX degrees. How interesting." Any plugs I make will not be tapped for a sender. Besides, I think you would be better off tapping the cover itself rather than the plug. A sender inside your plug would make removing the plug unnecessarily difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skierman64 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 Have we seen any BMW e30 or e36 diff failures other than Glen's small case diff? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi_Im_Will Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, skierman64 said: Have we seen any BMW e30 or e36 diff failures other than Glen's small case diff? 21 minutes ago, enginerd said: +1 No failures on our diff yet so I have no need to see what temp it's running at other than to say "Our diff operates at XXX-XXX degrees. How interesting." Any plugs I make will not be tapped for a sender. Besides, I think you would be better off tapping the cover itself rather than the plug. A sender inside your plug would make removing the plug unnecessarily difficult. No failures yet? Sounds like there's some unused potential in your driveline. Recent rules changes enable some things that might make diff temperature a very interesting piece of information. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skierman64 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 4 minutes ago, Hi_Im_Will said: No failures yet? Sounds like there's some unused potential in your driveline. Recent rules changes enable some things that might make diff temperature a very interesting piece of information. We don't have the cash or expertise to be that cutting edge. Plus I don't want to bump up to GP1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhr650 Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 I don't know but is there anything that makes a BMW drain plug unique? My Mazda came standard with magnetic drain plugs on both the trans and diff, could you find an inexpensive OEM magnetic plug from a different car to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted March 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 36 minutes ago, mhr650 said: I don't know but is there anything that makes a BMW drain plug unique? My Mazda came standard with magnetic drain plugs on both the trans and diff, could you find an inexpensive OEM magnetic plug from a different car to use? Good call, I'll take a closer look. It's M22 x 1.5 w/ flange and o-ring https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/ecs-magnetic-differential-oil-drain-plug/009314ecs01a/?gclid=CjwKEAjwzKPGBRCS55Oe46q9hCkSJAAMvVuMtKStksOKu0e4FFDXHkQ8k47agbFOIUL30AExugiHQRoCZ6zw_wcB This guy may be compatible... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-Oil-Drain-Sump-Plug-M22-x-1-5-22mm-1-5-M22x1-5-22mm-x-1-5-PSR0601-/350551390936 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_e Posted March 16, 2017 Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 6 hours ago, skierman64 said: I'm not sure I really want to know my diff temp. If I did know, what would I do with that info? I would advise you to stop and let it cool down to within 20 degrees of ambient temperature, then you should be good to go again. 4 hours ago, mhr650 said: I don't know but is there anything that makes a BMW drain plug unique? My Mazda came standard with magnetic drain plugs on both the trans and diff, could you find an inexpensive OEM magnetic plug from a different car to use? Lucky you to have a drain plug in your diff. Crappy Ford expects you to pop the entire cover off splashing diff fluid on your coveralls, clean the silicone off the mating surface while you lay on your back, clean the silicone off the cover, clean it all up so it seals properly, apply new silicone, bolt up the cover, refill with clean fluid while laying in the puddle left by the old fluid when you popped the cover off. It's fun. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikiel Posted March 16, 2017 Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 Geez, Ron, I would think the solution would be obvious to a Canadian. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators E. Tyler Pedersen Posted March 16, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 How many points will I need to take in order to install one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvumtnbkr Posted March 16, 2017 Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_e Posted March 16, 2017 Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 16 minutes ago, Crank Yankers Racing said: How many points will I need to take in order to install one of these? Are you asking about enginerd's drain plug or the maple syrup solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators E. Tyler Pedersen Posted March 16, 2017 Administrators Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 2 minutes ago, Ron_e said: Are you asking about enginerd's drain plug or the maple syrup solution? Yes.,...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_e Posted March 16, 2017 Report Share Posted March 16, 2017 2 hours ago, Crank Yankers Racing said: Yes.,...... If you make maple syrup in your diff and brew some beer in your engine you will probably get a bonus lap especially if you are serving pancakes and beer after the race. There was a team at Spokane that tried cooking I think a roast in their air cooled Ghia but I don't think it turned out very even or overly cooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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