Transmission magnets in the drain pan?

Hey TW, i just got done doing a ATF fluid and filter change so i had the oil pan off the transmission to get at the filter.

Thinking back, I'm not sure I got the 4 magnets inside the bottom of the oil pan back in there.

How crucial are those 4 little flat magnets to the operation of the transmission?

Can I just change fluid at a regular specified interval or do I have to pull all 3092384 of those little oil pan bolts off and put the magnets back in?

thanks, this has me stressin.

 

........

 

Well as I understand it, those magnets are for collecting any metal filings that may shave off, and to keep them from recirculating. It's a preventative for sure. I'd want them back in there. That being said, there are aftermarket magnets sold that just stick to the bottom of the transmission pan and do the same thing. So if you don't want to tear it apart, look for something like a FilterMAG.

 

^Ive heard nothing good about those magnets. Ive heard they tend to fall off and dont protect the trany as well (specially if you are offroading).

If I were you (OP), I would take the time to do it right. Not worth risking your transmission.

 

They arent there for protecting as much as they are for indicating. Magnetic metal shavings can tell you alot about the condition of your transmission. If it comes out with light particles thats normal wear. If it comes out looking like a christmas tree you know something is wrong. If you have that many particles that magnet wont catch them all.

 

I am planning to pull my transmission pan to inspect the magnets/strainer. Is a gasket sealer needed? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Yep, here's the magnets doing "nothing".....

 

I'm not a trans mechanic but that doesn't look very good. OP how about some of this. I'm sure you could find some at the local hardware store.

 

that looks more or so like some one doesn't change there oil like they should...

 

I'll take that with a grain of salt...

I'm pretty anal about routine maint., that said my trans failure has little or nothing to do with fluid condition, thats not tranny "flash" in the pan, its metal, & lots of it, we're not talking shavings, we're talking chunks.. chunks of gear teeth, etc;..

 

Not flash or dirty fluid(well its dirty now)

 

No offense at all doug but you have big fingers. Thats what you get when you finger a tranny

 

Make sure theyre in there!!! They do exactly as pictured above. Trapping metal shavings is a pretty big deal in a tranny. I also have a magnapure inline transmission filter on my truck and an auxillary transmission cooler. 234,000 rough miles and still works great

 

Haha....

 

If it were me id open it back up and fix it. I would want my truck to last and something like that seems like it would help.

 

Not familiar with the Magnapure filter , are they see through ? Keep an eye on the in line filter . A great idea after overhauling the transmission to catch any remaining metal particles in the system but should be removed from the cooling line as it will restrict cooling flow if it plugs up .
Glue some magnets to the bottom of the transmission pan .

 

My Harleys have a magnetic tip on the drain plugs for that very purpose.
Three plugs on the Ultra (engine, primary and transmission.)
Two on the Sportster (engine and primary/transmission.)

Every oil change, I can see if anything is being generated by looking at the tips.
Never found anything to worry about.
They are a handy item.

Of course the bikes get their oils changed more often than a Toyota.
I have a manual tranny where you have an auto tranny.
I don't have the same set-up.
Good luck, I think they can be handy.
Gives a quick look to see if "things" are circulating in the tranny fluid.

 

They are a hard black plastic body. they have a magnet inside them and the screen is similar to the internal filter on a vehicle. Im probably going to change it out with the next oil drain and fill to avoid it clogging.. Just a little extra filtering capability. I don't see the need to glue magnets down, theyre fine at the bottom of the pan. i can't imagine it would be easy to dislodge them