Magnetic Drain Plug Snapped in Half

[kevboost7]

F my life. I was changing the oil on my R32 GTR today as usual and ran into a bit of a snag. I drained the oil out and was getting ready to finish the job by tightening the drain plug, however The stupid magnetic oil drain plug snapped in half, right at the magnet part. After about an hour of trying to remove it, I used a drill bit, which unfortunately pushed the magnet all the way into the pan, and just leaving the hollow threaded part of the bolt remaining. I was able to remove the hollow portion of the bolt from the oil pan with some pliers but the magnet is still in there. 

So, the question is, should I drop the oil pan to get the magnet piece out, or is it okay to leave it in there? I really dont want to drop the pan, i'm about to go nuts. 

PSA: Do NOT buy a BLOX magnetic drain plug. This is the one i had. 

 

https://bloxracing.com/products/magnetic-oil-drain-plug-m12x1-25mm?variant=37131252859052&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPpgti1D2JwO7TDuMpXuqeQPCuIQSAfwxpWQH5rF9MD7sm5SCZDWLR_RoC_YoQAvD_BwE

   

[joshuaho96]

1 hour ago, kevboost7 said:

F my life. I was changing the oil on my R32 GTR today as usual and ran into a bit of a snag. I drained the oil out and was getting ready to finish the job by tightening the drain plug, however The stupid magnetic oil drain plug snapped in half, right at the magnet part. After about an hour of trying to remove it, I used a drill bit, which unfortunately pushed the magnet all the way into the pan, and just leaving the hollow threaded part of the bolt remaining. I was able to remove the hollow portion of the bolt from the oil pan with some pliers but the magnet is still in there. 

So, the question is, should I drop the oil pan to get the magnet piece out, or is it okay to leave it in there? I really dont want to drop the pan, i'm about to go nuts. 

PSA: Do NOT buy a BLOX magnetic drain plug. This is the one i had. 

 

https://bloxracing.com/products/magnetic-oil-drain-plug-m12x1-25mm?variant=37131252859052&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw47i_BhBTEiwAaJfPpgti1D2JwO7TDuMpXuqeQPCuIQSAfwxpWQH5rF9MD7sm5SCZDWLR_RoC_YoQAvD_BwE

   

If it's magnetic what is stopping you from using a magnet on a thin wire from fishing it out?

[soviet_merlin]

1 hour ago, joshuaho96 said:

If it's magnetic what is stopping you from using a magnet on a thin wire from fishing it out?

Half anticipating the next question then: I have two magnets stuck in my oil pan. What should I do? 

[GTSBoy]

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly.

[Murray_Calavera]

Maybe something like this - 

Plus this - 

[Predator1]

48 minutes ago, soviet_merlin said:

Half anticipating the next question then: I have two magnets stuck in my oil pan. What should I do? 

Oh magnet on magnet action... oohhhh I wana see some of that action 

[r32-25t]

Or anything steel that a magnet is attracted to like a screw driver or something 

[MBS206]

Even a strong magnet underneath will let you use it to chase the one inside to the drain hole.

[Duncan]

coathanger

[Duncan]

a metal one, to be clear

[Duncan]

also, we need to know which solution worked....

[Milkmun]

Cut sump up and extend. Win win 😂 

[kevboost7]

I'll update you guys when i get home from work, im going to try to fish it out. 

I just realized that i can't even drop the oil pan. The whole front diff and axles are connected to the oil pan... is it even possible to drop the oil pan without taking out the motor?

 

[kevboost7]

How f**ked am i? what would happen if i leave the magnet inside there? 

[TurboTapin]

Just get the magnet out... I can think of 37 different options to get it out without removing the pan. 4-5x of those options are already mentioned here.

I personally would drill a larger hole in the pan, pull the magnet out and then block the hole with another magnet. Then reuse another magnetic oil plug. The more magnets the better. 

Edited April 4 by TurboTapin

[kevboost7]

10 minutes ago, TurboTapin said:

Just get the magnet out... I can think of 37 different options to get it out without removing the pan. 4-5x of those options are already mentioned here.

I personally would drill a larger hole in the pan, pull the magnet out and then block the hole with another magnet. Then reuse another magnetic oil plug. The more magnets the better. 

Are you trolling me

[TurboTapin]

1 hour ago, kevboost7 said:

Are you trolling me

Yes and no. My second sentence is trolling but being that you're also from North America, I was really hoping you would catch onto my ICP reference. Then again, I'm probably one of the only idiots who listened to ICP when I was younger. 

Jokes aside, if the magnet went in through the drain hole, then I'm sure you can get it out by there. Try some of the options the others have listed. 

[Duncan]

6 hours ago, kevboost7 said:

.....is it even possible to drop the oil pan without taking out the motor?

 

not really....in that it is possible but it would be easier to pull the motor than to take the sump off in the car.  It's not just that the diff is attached because you remove the axles and driveshaft, but you have to remove the whole subframe to get it out which is a heap of work including brake calipers and steering rack disconnected, have to support the engine from above because the engine mounts to the subframe etc etc

[MBS206]

If you're really considering leaving it, a great question to ask is, is the magnet going to stick to the sump?

The answer to the above is the same answer towards if I'd have any level of comfort leaving it...

Personally, based on the cost of a motor if the magnet were to cause damage, I'd be fishing it out either way.

Use the methods in here. It fit in through the plug hole, it'll come out.

 

PS, get a small actuatable claw for a bore scope. OR if you know a vet, they have really cool controllable scopes with hooks on the end. Supposedly they're like playing a video game. Ask if they can acquire you one of their scopes...

Engine oil after all is just a different type of lube right? Will only make it easier on the next dog or cat...

[r32-25t]

It’s a gtr, has an alloy sump and will not stick to it obviously