Ducati filter with magnets dissected

[ducatiz]

I posted this a while back in another time, another place.

I dissected my factory filter after 6000 miles on my S2R800.  I had placed 3 neodymium magnets (about 1.5" long) around the base.  Ran the oil for 2000 miles.  I drained the oil filter and then cut it open with a dremel, here is what I found.

Remove the base




And the filter cartridge pops right out:



The circular thing is a spring to hold the cartridge in place



the speckles are crap trapped in the filter



here you see the outline of ferric sludge held in place by the magnets



magnet locations





Magnets' outlines very visible inside




This is the base with the rubber flow flap and spring-- it's HEAVY


cartridge.. it is almost the full length of the external cartridge


pushing down the bypass spring



Based on my experience with oil filters (which is NOT professional, but extensive), these filters are very well made.  They are not plain paper, it looks like a poly-paper composite, same as most of the high-end type.  The bypass valve is held in place by a very strong spring and the flow flap is thick and good quality rubber.

I've also done this with the Perf-Form and Athena filters, I'll try to post the pics too.

[RUFKM]

Okay I can see the junk but do you think it made any difference? Would that material just have been trapped in the filter media if the magnets weren't there?

[ducatiz]

Most of it would have been trapped by the filter, BUT the net result is that the filter media doesn't get clogged up. 

Since the ferric swag is held in place by the magnet, the filter stays cleaner longer.

The magnets are a one time purchase too.  You can probably use just two of them, they cost $2 each and I reuse them every time

[VisceralReaction]

^ +1 thats my same understanding. the filter media would still catch it but since the magnets
are catching it, the filter media life is extended.

[Langanobob]

^ +1 thats my same understanding. the filter media would still catch it but since the magnets
are catching it, the filter media life is extended.

What I think I remember from the old oil thread is that the magnets actually will catch some very small particles that the filter element would not catch and the small particles contribute more than their share of wear. 

Ducatiz-e thanks for posting this, it's interesting and reminded me that I have an oil/filter change coming up.  I have the magnets on my filter also.

[ducatiz]

What I think I remember from the old oil thread is that the magnets actually will catch some very small particles that the filter element would not catch and the small particles contribute more than their share of wear. 

Ducatiz-e thanks for posting this, it's interesting and reminded me that I have an oil/filter change coming up.  I have the magnets on my filter also.

exactly.  the neodymium magnets especially will hold pretty much anything ferric until you take the magnet off.  i didn't need anything to hold them onto the filter either, they are extremely hard to get off unless you are trying to.

[RUFKM]

Okay I guess it's just me.  I have NEVER worn an engine out.  I have NEVER sold a bike.  NO bike I have "walked away from" has ever been ridden again.  Aside from the odd headlight bucket or clutch lever that survived very few parts have gone on to future glory.  I see no need in wasting time on something that's destined to become scrap iron.

[Langanobob]

Okay I guess it's just me.  I have NEVER worn an engine out.  I have NEVER sold a bike.  NO bike I have "walked away from" has ever been ridden again.  Aside from the odd headlight bucket or clutch lever that survived very few parts have gone on to future glory.  I see no need in wasting time on something that's destined to become scrap iron.

Motorcycling is a combination of sport and hobby and the hobby part doesn't necessarily have to have any logic to it.  I have a Triumph Bonneville that's been running since 1966 with no oil filter at all and I have a Ducati with magnets on the oil filter.

[ducatiz]

Motorcycling is a combination of sport and hobby and the hobby part doesn't necessarily have to have any logic to it.  I have a Triumph Bonneville that's been running since 1966 with no oil filter at all and I have a Ducati with magnets on the oil filter.

I love hearing stuff like this!