metal filings in the oil... Options??

[tinkabell]

soooo, just did an oil change and have a "not insignificant" amount of filings in the oil... car is on 04 gu3 zd30 (alloy top version).

anyone had anything similar recently? I'm assuming a whole world of hurt is around the corner, so what are my options?

way i figure it:

1) let it blow up and part it out
2) get a crate motor
3) get a second hand from somewhere
4) get a properly recon'd second hand
5) get this stripped and recon'd
6) is there a 6?????

anyone got an idea of costs etc??

cheers

[4bye4]

Are the filings steel of allow? Usa a magnet. What does it sound like?. It might (but probably isin't) somthing repairable. How many K? What's the rest of the car like?

[happygu]

Any strange noises ?

You could try changing the oil, and re-checking after another 1000 Klms, just in case ...

[tinkabell]

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...

[4bye4]

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...

Magnet test if magnetic=steel=maybe a bearing going. If not magnetic=alloy=oh $*^t.

[4bye4]

Mate, didn't read it properly before - might be oil pump if filings are in the filter. Do you have an oil pressure gauge - oil pressure lights are not a lot of good, they usually come on just after the damage is done.

[tinkabell]

Mate, didn't read it properly before - might be oil pump if filings are in the filter. Do you have an oil pressure gauge - oil pressure lights are not a lot of good, they usually come on just after the damage is done.

nah mate no oil gauge... but been playing with a couple of fridge magnets, not getting any joy so might be alloy after all... the pieces are so small and fine i can't even look at them properly... trying to find a kids magnifying glass lol

[dom14]

Did you feel it between fingers to determine it's metal for sure.
It can be a left over from some oil additive as well.
Either way, caution is the way to go.
Better to filter some of the stuff with a strainer with a cloth.
Clean it with petrol and have a close look with a magnifying glass.
Also feel the stuff between fingers after cleaning.
Yeah, a CSI approach is the way to go.

[nipagu7]

how long since last oil change and oil filter change . what brand of oil and what weight eg; 10w-40 . just wondering if to light or poor quality a oil might have been used .

[Ben-e-boy]

Personally I would put a few more km's on this oil then drop it and send it away for analysis. It's fairly cheap. You'll get change from $50
Hastings deering should do it, most oil co-ops should be able to do it.

Its like a blood test for your engine and a very good preventitive maintenance tool. The analysis will tell you what the filings are and where they came from