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Oil Drops with Metal Particles
Oil Drops with Metal Particles Hi, everyone.
I recently started the 135k mile TA on a cold morning where the rush of heat caused rapid condensation on the bottom end of the vehicle. Later, I noticed several drops of water and oil mixed with water from the front end (from oil pan to trans), which was obviously the condensed moisture rinsing off the collected oil residue from the bottom end. The thing that surprised me, though, was that upon close inspection, the oil drops had a heavy concentration of glittery particles, which could only be from the internals of the engine. So my question is whether the presence of these particles by itself is considered abnormal/excessive engine wear or if they could've gradually accumulated over long periods of time, and therefore negligible? (Haven't had any used oil professionally examined yet, nor have I seen any particles on the oil dipstick.)
Any clarification/speculation is appreciated.
I recently started the 135k mile TA on a cold morning where the rush of heat caused rapid condensation on the bottom end of the vehicle. Later, I noticed several drops of water and oil mixed with water from the front end (from oil pan to trans), which was obviously the condensed moisture rinsing off the collected oil residue from the bottom end. The thing that surprised me, though, was that upon close inspection, the oil drops had a heavy concentration of glittery particles, which could only be from the internals of the engine. So my question is whether the presence of these particles by itself is considered abnormal/excessive engine wear or if they could've gradually accumulated over long periods of time, and therefore negligible? (Haven't had any used oil professionally examined yet, nor have I seen any particles on the oil dipstick.)
Any clarification/speculation is appreciated.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
2. I would think an inspection of the internal engine oil as well as cutting open the oil filter would tell you a lot more
Hi, everyone.
I recently started the 135k mile TA on a cold morning where the rush of heat caused rapid condensation on the bottom end of the vehicle. Later, I noticed several drops of water and oil mixed with water from the front end (from oil pan to trans), which was obviously the condensed moisture rinsing off the collected oil residue from the bottom end. The thing that surprised me, though, was that upon close inspection, the oil drops had a heavy concentration of glittery particles, which could only be from the internals of the engine. So my question is whether the presence of these particles by itself is considered abnormal/excessive engine wear or if they could've gradually accumulated over long periods of time, and therefore negligible? (Haven't had any used oil professionally examined yet, nor have I seen any particles on the oil dipstick.)
Any clarification/speculation is appreciated.
I recently started the 135k mile TA on a cold morning where the rush of heat caused rapid condensation on the bottom end of the vehicle. Later, I noticed several drops of water and oil mixed with water from the front end (from oil pan to trans), which was obviously the condensed moisture rinsing off the collected oil residue from the bottom end. The thing that surprised me, though, was that upon close inspection, the oil drops had a heavy concentration of glittery particles, which could only be from the internals of the engine. So my question is whether the presence of these particles by itself is considered abnormal/excessive engine wear or if they could've gradually accumulated over long periods of time, and therefore negligible? (Haven't had any used oil professionally examined yet, nor have I seen any particles on the oil dipstick.)
Any clarification/speculation is appreciated.
1.You have obviously forgotten that the Externals of the engine are also made of this same material.....metal. I can't for the life of me figure out how you have narrowed this down to internal engine metal. Please sir describe the difference between internal and external engine metal and how you negotiated the difference?
2. I would think an inspection of the internal engine oil as well as cutting open the oil filter would tell you a lot more
2. I would think an inspection of the internal engine oil as well as cutting open the oil filter would tell you a lot more
I actually saved my last oil filter and a sample of the used oil. I had it in a bucket outside, but it was thrown out on me. My current oil is practically new and is not scheduled to be changed until Spring of next year at the earliest.
If it really bothers you, pull a sample and submit it to one of those oil testing laboratories (e.g. Blackstone). The results will tell you how much metal, if any, and the type which will pinpoint the source. They will send you a free test sample kit - cost is about $25. Cheaper than a teardown.
A rapid and low dissipating rate of condensation inside the engine throughout the Winter months wouldn't suddenly give you so much visible metal shaving, would it?
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
If you in fact have metal shaving floating around in your engine I would suspect their would be some evidence on the magnetic tip on the drain plug (although I realize that not all bearing material may be magnetic). And again, to put your mind at rest, the cost of an oil change early would be worth it IMO. I truly feel like if what you saw came from the inside of the engine, then upon inspection (even with the oil being new/recently changed) it would be almost immediately obvious that there was a significant problem.
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