Very fine metal in my oil

Hey gang,

Did my first oil change at dealer at 1k miles.

Second oil change I did 1.2k miles later total 2,200 miles. I noticed very fine metal in my oil pan which after all my years of changing oil I have yet to see. I bought my last 4 vehicles new.

Lastly, I just pulled the plug and drained about 1/4qt after 50 miles to see if there was any sparkly material.

Have any of you seen fine metal when changing? Would this still fall under normal for break in? I have attached pics but it may not show clearly.

 

Oh my...

@Eurodriver



Spraynard sez, "not OK". If that much made it into your pan, then times 3 (X3) is trapped in your filter pleats.

 

I want to say it's normal with new engine break in but I need some other experienced guys with some input.

 

Indeed not. Those particles look (subjectively) large enough to bridge the gap between the rotors of your gerotor oil pump.

This condition is non-conformant. This assumes those particles were not in the pan prior to you conducting the service.

 

The pan was clean.

 

@empty_lord
@snivilous

 

I wonder if those fine particles are more common but people don't see them as they usually change their oil when it's brown or much darker.

 

I wish. I'm alarmed at what I'm seeing. And OP is no stranger to evaluating the drained oil of their other vehicles.

I'll hope for the best whilst preparing for the worst.

 

First changed mine at 600 miles and again at like 1200. Never saw anything like that.

Hope it’s ok, OP.

 

I changed mine when I got it at 5500 or so, didn’t check the pan but cut the filter open and could not see anything.

 

Send an oil sample to blackstone and have it analyzed. I have done that it will tell you if it is normal and/or what itnis

 

I haven't cut it open yet.

Unless the drain bolt is not magnetic I haven't noticed anything on the end of it. Which makes me think these are all aluminum shavings from normal engine break in. I still only have 2,300 miles on it.

 

I wouldnt sweat it. Its a motor, all mechanical, shits gonna wear. If really concerned hack your oil filter in half and see whats going on in there

 

Not on my watch sez to Gen 2.5 driver.

 

The magnetic drain plug will tell you very little. The babbit bearing the engines are so fond of digesting aren't going to hanging around that magnet.

If you don't have the means to open the filter without introducing any metal into it go find an aircraft mechanic at the local airport and slip the guy a fiver. Chances are after you tell him what you're finding he will be more than glad to help you.

Today's engines aren't supposed to make anywhere near this amount of metal. My last four cars, a Honda Fit, Element, Fiat 124 and 21 Tundra have had their oil filters inspected after every oil change. All have shown bits of sealant on the first two oil changes but none have caught anything more than a few specks of aluminum measuring no more than 2mm.

So, what's showing up in the pan is only a fraction of what the filter is catching.

 

With all of the couch engineers on this forum...you should just take it to the dealership and have them preemptively rebuild the motor.

 

I cut the filter open. Couldn't really see any of the fine metal in the pleats until I turned off the shop light and looked at an angle with a flashlight. They were there but it was only by looking closely.

Just sharing. I am going to do another change in 1k miles and see what comes out.

 

I’ve seen these minute aluminum specs on new cars, trucks, and bikes I’ve owned. I suspect they don’t get circulated and therefore not filtered out and just sit in the bottom of the pan. However they stop after the first few thousand miles. Keep an eye on it.

 

Some (not all) do have some glitter in them for the first 2 oil changes.. would I be concerned yet? No. Trucks under warranty. Next oil change catch a sample and check again. If metals still present, talk to the dealer

 

My mr2 engine after I rebuilt it had little aluminum shavings coming out of the pan for the first 2 oil changes. Even after hot tanking the parts. As long as the filters there it’ll catch it. But some of it stays in the pan.

 

Glitter is the right word to describe it. I was looking for that word!!!

 

Forbidden Glitter is the technical term.

 

Set the hook OP, you’ve almost got em ​

 

Idk, if I'm under warranty, I'd be inclined to have the dealership do the oil changes at the required intervals.

I would also drive that engine as hard as possible so it detonates and turns into kibbles and bits under warranty. That will increase your chances of getting a new engine.

 

I do have the ext warranty to 10yr 100k which is peace of mind.

 

Send an oil sample to Blackstone labs ...they will tell you exactly what is in your oil