Without a small layer of motor oil to keep them apart, the crankshaft components, cylinder walls, and pistons would soon grind out since they are continually near one another. Despite the excellent protection oil provides for these components, some metal particles are to be anticipated in oil.
Usually, the quantity of metal in the oil would only be identified by a lab study, and you should never be able to see the metal particles in the oil with your naked eye.
Any quantity of metal in the oil is abnormal. Thus it is quite concerning if you see any bright metal shavings in the oil drain pan. The only possible exception is a brand-new or freshly rebuilt engine that has to break in, but even then, pushing the engine too hard may be the cause of the extra metal.
When Is Metal Usually Seen in Engine Oil
If you have ever purchased a brand-new vehicle, you know that the first oil change occurred at 1,000 miles. Additionally, the automobile can have a rev limitation and even less horsepower for the first 1,000 kilometres. This is because breaking into a new engine takes time.
In other words, it is the amount of time it takes for all the moving components to assemble and smooth out any minute surface flaws. These flaws will now appear as minute metal shavings in the oil.
If you rebuild your engine and replace any significant moving components, the same thing may occur. These include the crankshaft bearings, piston rings, timing chains, sprockets, and camshafts.
The only difference is that instead of 1,000 miles, you will notice the metal shavings after 5,000 or 10,000 miles. Consequently, if any of the two describes your car, there is no need for fear. You just need to replace your oil filter and oil, and you are ready to go.
How much may the standard metal be found after breaking in an engine?
The final thing that needs to be clarified is how much metal is typical in the oil after the first break-in phase. It is common to observe microscopic metal flakes when exposed to light. These metallic fragments will provide a dazzling appearance in the oil. The oil filter may also include some bits, but that is also expected.
However, if you see larger fragments, like those that are at least two or three millimetres in diameter, it is most likely an issue with the engine. Mainly, it is possible that certain parts were not installed properly or are not effectively lubricated. Additionally, if you did not use a torque wrench, specific components may be overtightened or have come free, increasing wear.
What If the Engine Is Already Broken In, and You See Metal?
There may be a problem if metal flakes are found in an engine that has travelled 40,000 miles or more. It may be blocked because you neglected to update the oil filter, or it may signify a more severe problem. However, any metal shavings in an engine beyond the break-in time are excessive.
There is not any need to worry just yet, however. In the next 5,000 miles, I advise you to change the oil filter every 1,000 miles.
Your budget will not suffer much since each automobile’s oil filter is just around $10 or less. After that, examine the filter after each replacement for checking whether the metal concentration is decreasing. Do not be scared to cut open the metal filter in your automobile if it has one.
After then, it is likely simply a regular build-up that did not drain for whatever reason if you note that the metal content decreases every 1,000 miles. Check your owner’s handbook to see whether you use the manufacturer’s suggested oil. You may purchase a magnetic oil plug to catch the metal chips and keep them out of the engine.
After 5,000 or 7,000 miles, check the filter more at the subsequent routine oil change. It is all okay if there are no metal shavings. If not, getting an oil test kit and examining the oil is a good idea. However, more about it is covered in the section that follows.
What Should You Do If Engine Oil Has Metal in It?
I recommend sending the oil for analysis if you find even a small quantity of metal shavings in an engine that has already been broken. Yes, you may start using the previously outlined approach, but the analysis is much more secure.
This is so that you can determine precisely which metal and other compounds are present in the oil and, in turn, which engine component is wearing out. If not the complete engine, it takes all guessing out and can save you a tonne of cash.
You get a free test kit before the analysis begins, at least at the most well-known lab, Blackstone-labs.com. You next take a sample of your oil and return it to them in following the steps listed on their website.
Finally, Blackstone-Labs offers you a comprehensive report that includes all the values and a written explanation of what is elevating those qualities above the norm. The most significant part is that the whole study costs $35.
What is too much metal?
Now we come to the section where we talk about how much metal in your oil means that there has already been a lot of damage. Something is already broken if you observe my significant bits of metal. And by bits of metal, I mean, as I said, anything larger than 2-3 millimetres. In other words, everything that you can pick up feels between your fingertips.
In addition, you may have noticed that when the oil flows out, it begins to change colour immediately or shortly after it rests in the pan. The hue may be silver or grey due to an abundance of small steel or aluminium shavings. Additionally, oil might become yellow or brown, which signifies a failed rod bearing. But rather than going into further detail, here is how that seems.
What Should You Do If Metal Is Found in Your Oil?
The oil filter has to be changed as soon as you see metal in your oil. Then, do an OBD2 check to see if any fault codes appear, which may reveal why the metal you discovered in the oil originated. After that, you have two options: either remove the engine to determine which parts need to be replaced or submit an oil sample for examination.
Are Metals Found in Engine Oil?
As well as other impurities, engine oil always contains a certain quantity of metals. However, under normal circumstances, the metal particles really aren’t visible. So, if you see metal particles in engine oil, the engine has a problem.
Why do engine oils have metal shavings in them?
Metal shavings in engine oil result from specific moving components experiencing excessive wear. For instance, the piston grinding against the cylinder or the camshaft, piston rings, rod bearings, timing chain, etc.
What Is the Main Reason Engine Oil Gets Contaminated?
Skipping oil changes or using the incorrect oil for your engine are the leading causes of oil pollution. Another significant factor is not changing the oil filter at each oil change or using a low-quality replacement. You could also have a leaky fuel injector or a blown head gasket if the oil is white or smells like gasoline.
Can engine oil remove contaminants?
Yes, engine oil traps and flushes impurities from the engine’s moving components. The pollutants are captured and permanently eliminated from the engine when the oil flows through the filter. But until the following oil change, larger particles like metal will stay in the oil pan.
How Does Contaminated Engine Oil Affect Things?
Engine oil loses its ability to lubricate and may cease flowing through the engine if it becomes polluted. For instance, oil-polluted with gasoline will become too thin and fail to form a barrier around moving components.
On the other hand, if it is polluted with coolant, it will thicken up and eventually cease flowing through the engine.
How can I tell whether the oil in my engine is contaminated?
If there are no obvious signs that your engine oil is polluted, the only way to be certain is to obtain an oil study. An oil analysis cannot be performed at home since a sample of the oil must be sent to a lab. But this article has additional information about that.
What Kind of Oil Is Contaminated?
The colour of contaminated oil might be white, black, brown, silver, or grey. It indicates coolant is leaking into the oil pan if it is white and sluggish. The oil is metal-contaminated if it is brown with silvery or grey specks. Additionally, black oil could signify pollution from carbon deposits or other environmental toxins like dust and dirt.
Conclusion
In conclusion, unless the engine is entirely new or recently rebuilt, any metal shavings in motor oil that you can see with the naked eye are harmful. To determine which parts are wearing out too quickly without removing the whole engine, it is essential to submit a sample of oil for examination.
Additionally, if you only find a few metal specks in the oil, the previous owner may have neglected to replace the oil or may have used the wrong kind of oil. To get rid of all the metal, change your filter a few times up to the following oil change. Additionally, an oil study is required if the issue continues.
