One person says it's normal. Another says it's not.
Metal shavings
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln NE
Metal shavings
just changed my oil and this is probably my 3 change since owning the car (march of 06) previous id never paid much attention to the magnet at the end of the oil pan bolt.. but i noticed it looked like a bubble at the end... is it normal to find small metal shavings in the bottom of a high milage car (116k) the shaving are incredibly small... they just gathered together on the tip of the magnet.. What could be wearing? it can't be aluminum.The shavings are like a dust.
Last edited by N0TDADYS_98; Oct 27, 2006 at 11:04 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 9
From: Ottawa Ontario
Originally Posted by N0TDADYS_98
just changed my oil and this is probably my 3 change since owning the car (march of 06) previous id never paid much attention to the magnet at the end of the oil pan bolt.. but i noticed it looked like a bubble at the end... is it normal to find small metal shavings in the bottom of a high milage car (116k) the shaving are incredibly small... they just gathered together on the tip of the magnet.. What could be wearing? it can't be aluminum.The shavings are like a dust.
It could be normal as on my old motor I always had a grey glob of what looked like anti-sieze on the magnetic plug and I never had an issue. Just a bit of fine material that is common to these cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln NE
what are cam's made out of? I'm wondering if i have a stuckish lifter.. i couldn't get one of my lifters up high enough to lock in place when i did the cam swap...
acutually the description motleydrew gave describes what i found.
I kept the oil in it's pan.. i'm going down to the local parts store and see if they have any testers.
acutually the description motleydrew gave describes what i found.
I kept the oil in it's pan.. i'm going down to the local parts store and see if they have any testers.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Originally Posted by N0TDADYS_98
what are cam's made out of? I'm wondering if i have a stuckish lifter.. i couldn't get one of my lifters up high enough to lock in place when i did the cam swap...
acutually the description motleydrew gave describes what i found.
I kept the oil in it's pan.. i'm going down to the local parts store and see if they have any testers.
acutually the description motleydrew gave describes what i found.
I kept the oil in it's pan.. i'm going down to the local parts store and see if they have any testers.
If you use Terry Dyson's analysis, he will work with you to resolve the issues with the motor and identify any sources of the problems if there are any. He is excellent and highly recommened. Unless you know how to interpret your oil analysis, I would strongly recommend using Terry's services.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 9
From: Ottawa Ontario
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Aguila AZ
One of the best ways to determine the condition of your engine is to drain the oil and then drop the lower oil pan cover (14 small bolts as I recall). Any particulates will collect there and you can also examine and clean the oil sump screen. If there is no problem, put the oil back in the engine. This removable cover is a feature that few engines have, take advantage of it... Its free since the gasket/seal is reusable.
I do this after every road race week-end and provides me with confidence to run the next event.
Shirl Dickey
I do this after every road race week-end and provides me with confidence to run the next event.
Shirl Dickey
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by vettenuts
I agree that if you are really worried about it, get the oil and the residue on the drain plug analyzed to determine what type of metal is being collected. Then you will know the source.
I have used Blackstone Labs.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln NE
thanks for the replies... the link to the thread give me confidence it's probably something i don't need to worry about... Not like i could probably save a bearing anyways... 
I'll probably go ahead and take your guys advice and get my oil examined by a professional to help me pinpoint where its' coming from... maybe he'll give me the good news i have a bad bearing or two and i need to start a 427 project.
I'll probably go ahead and take your guys advice and get my oil examined by a professional to help me pinpoint where its' coming from... maybe he'll give me the good news i have a bad bearing or two and i need to start a 427 project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Do you actually see metal shavings or it more like fuzz, it's ok to see some light fuzz on your drain plug but if you can actually roll it around on your fingertips and feel granules or shavings then thats not normal, either way if you feel uncomfortable get an oil analysis.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
Originally Posted by nuke61
Aren't bearings made of babbit material? In other words, not magnetic?
That is correct. Ferous dust on the magnet would not be bearing material but probably cam or lifters. If the bearings were worn to the point of crank or rod damage you would be hearing a knocking sound.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
One oil anaysis will tell you very little and is only a baseline to start. It might give an indication of a spun bearing or excessive cam wear, but really, if you're going to do oil analysis do one every other time you change your oil. That way you'll see a pattern and a history for that motor. For example, a couple of cold starts in the winter could cause the metals to spike and by itself are perfectly normal for that timeframe. Blackstone is a good one - good report and the cost is around $20.
Blackstone Labs [bstone@blackstone-labs.com]
$.02 deposted
Blackstone Labs [bstone@blackstone-labs.com]
$.02 deposted
