metal filings in the oil... Options??

[happygu]

the filings are very small, looks to be metal, thinking bearing has gone?? No real noises in the engine, does have a little shudder at times i've noticed recently but it's very slight at best. 255*** on it, rest of car is ok, has some of the usual dints and dings and issues for it's age, but otherwise fairly normal... I just did a run from brisbane up to central queensland and back on a camping trip with 7 on board and towing a 2t camper - bloody thing never missed a beat... only discovered it during an oil change.

i find a magnet and triple check - but almost certain it's metal. The filter was full of it and the oil was all nice and sparkly with filings when we dropped it out...

That isn't sounding real good, and the worry is that if something fails it will be instantly catastrophic .... murphys law will have it fail when you are furthest from home to cost you more too....

If you have kept some of the oil along with the filter I would send it in for an oil test - don't think it will be great news, but it is better to know as soon as you can I guess