Keep in mind that an engine is not meant to put out any flakes visible to the eye, and an oil filter should catch particles smaller than 30 or so microns, which is smaller than a human hair in every direction.
A visible (even with a light) metallic paint fleck is on the order of 100 microns or more. The only particles you should have in your engine become a slightly viscous sludge inside your oil filter.
Anything visible to the human eye, even with the brightest light source known to man, is a sign of bearing degradation. I can guarantee you cannot tell a <30 micron particle suspended in oil.
How Much Metal in Oil is Normal?
It’s not uncommon for the engine oil to have minuscule metal shavings on occasion. However, these should be impossible to see with the naked eye. If you can see metal shavings in the oil, it should be alarming.
If you want to check to see if there are tiny metal particles, you can use a magnet. Another way to look for metal is to cut open the filter and pour out the oil from inside into a pan.
To see how much metal is in the oil, you will want to drain it when it is still clean. You won’t be able to notice them as well if the oil is dark.
At 10,000 miles, it’s common to see some metal particles as the engine breaks in. If you see them after that, you should be much more concerned.
Once you notice some metal shavings, you want to perform an oil and filter change. After that, remove the filter again after a day or two to see what’s happening. If the metal shavings persist or there are more than just a few particles, you need to have the engine looked at immediately.
How Does Metal Get in the Oil?
Uhhhhh, if they’re actual metal flakes, you can see that is an enormous problem.
Does the car sound like it’s knocking on a door when you start it up, Rev it, or shut it down? Does the red oil pressure lamp ever light up after you start the car?
Flakes normally mean bearing material, and bearing material is not meant to be anywhere but on the bearing. The fact that they’re large enough and in enough quantity to see means one of those bearings is already beyond toast.
If they’re coming out of the drain plug, it’s probably already all in the oil pickup and through all the oil galleys and gunking things up everywhere, putting a lot of wear on things that were never supposed to have a small flake of metal on them.
At this point, your options are to have someone tear your car apart and repair it for a few thousand (and still possibly have the engine fail early) or just pretend it doesn’t exist, keep driving (gently), and throw a used engine in there when it blows up.
My recommendation would be to drive it til it starts knocking, thenpark it and tow it to the shop as soon as the knocking starts. You can put some pretty nice dents in your bodywork when you send a piston flying.
What Do Metal Shavings Mean?
Metal shavings in oil have different meanings based on the type of metal they are. However, it can be difficult to tell the difference between some of the substances without experience.
You might find that seeing a professional is best if you aren’t sure what you are looking at. Here are the different types of metal shavings you might find and what each means.
1. Iron.
These metal shavings indicate that a rotating component within the engine is wearing. There are several engine parts that are made of iron that might be rubbing and wearing.
For example, the crankshaft and camshaft are made of this metal. It could also be caused by any of the iron valve train components. With any of these parts, there will likely be a major engine repair in your future. Still, you will probably be experiencing other engine complaints by the time these parts start to wear out.
2. Copper, Bronze, or Brass.
The appearance of these shavings is unlike any of the others, so they are much more recognizable. If you see any of these colored shavings, it’s possible you are dealing with bushings that have worn out.
It’s also possible that the metal is coming from a bearing that failed. These are all small parts, but they can lead to huge trouble when they are bad.
3. Molybdenum or Chromium.
Both of these metals look incredibly similar to aluminium. Yet, unlike aluminium, these metals are used to create the engine pistons.
If you identify these metal shavings, it’s almost guaranteed that the pistons are wearing out. However, it’s also possible that the piston rings have broken.
4. Aluminium.
There are numerous parts of the engine that are constructed from aluminium. Because of this, it can be more difficult to determine what has gone wrong.
Look at some of the parts on the engine’s surface. It could be an issue with either the overhead camshaft bearings or the aluminium caps.
What to Do if There’s Metal in Oil
You can prevent metal shavings from getting into the oil by changing the fluid regularly, replacing the oil filter, and repairing damaged parts right away.
Change the Oil Regularly
In addition to removing the built-up metal shavings, regular oil changes improve engine performance and prolong its lifespan. It also helps your car achieve peak gas mileage.
It’s recommended to change the oil every 3,000 miles. There are some cases when you can leave it up to 7,500 miles, but following the 3,000-mile rule is best for keeping your vehicle healthy.
It’s also ideal to change the oil every 12 months if you’re not using your vehicle frequently.
Replace the Filter
It’s recommended to change the oil filter every three to six months or every other oil change. New oil filters do a better job of collecting metal shavings and other contaminants.
Repair Damaged Parts
Besides the oil filter, it’s also worth checking if engine components, such as the bearings, camshaft, pistons, and rods, are worn out because of the lack of lubrication. Replacing these parts should help stave off metal shavings and improve vehicle performance.
