2002 Trans Am

Is it normal to have some metal shavings in the oil?
This is my 3rd oil change.
1st one done at the dealership so I don't know
2nd one done as I was doing my headers and did not notice anything
3rd one this weekendm I noticed something on the drain plug, so I got paper towels and cleaned it off and noticed that it was metal shaviing, nothing too much, just some pieces on the magnet and some of the threads.

Thanks

T/A Medic

iTrader: (1)

no it isnt normal ... could be bearing material or something that got in during ur oil change...

2002 Trans Am

harmful?

T/A Medic

iTrader: (1)

could be that the damage is already done... ie bearing material...

or it could be that if it gets past your pickup tube screen and into you motor could scar some bearings... filter should have picked it up...

just depends on where the metal came from... bearing or contamination

2002 Trans Am

GREAT

How does something like this happen?

I use K&N Gold Oil Filters and Redline 5W-30 oil as recommended by Patman

blk~2000~Z28

I found a little piece of metal about 1mm or less square on my drain plug magnet and I have felt no adverse affects from any possible engine damage. I even cut my filter with a hacksaw and searched the crap out of the paper folds looking for more b/c I am a paranoid person. I have never noticed any discolored oil so I think I am fine. If your oil has tint that is different than normal oil and normal used oil I might be concerned in that situation.

T/A Medic

iTrader: (1)

thats what I used too...

could be you picked it up when u set the plug down when changing the oil the last time... might not be anything at all...

car is acting normal... not ticking or spun bearing noise... clean the plug... change the oil and filter see if you pick up more.

Don't stress yet

2002 Trans Am

ehhhh I had ticking, but took care of it....Was a loose spark plug wire
Don't know what a spun bearing sounds like so I have no clue

I do have piston slap, so there is always knocking in my engine, but goes away after the car is warm, since I started using Redline

2002 Trans Am

Stressing a little, just want the car to be perfect for the converter install and tuning on Thursday

blk~2000~Z28

There is really nothing to stress about if your oil pressure has not changed recently and you always have plenty of oil. As long as you do not run your car with a crappy oil pump, crappy oil and/or let it run out of oil you are doing the best you can, everything else after that would be fate IMO.

2002 Trans Am

Cool

I can sleep now.....literally.
4am here and this **** has been making me toss and turn all night

ddelallata

iTrader: (2)

me too. I was worried about that. The last time that I changed my oil I noticed some tiny metallic filings on my plug. Nothing major though, just a few. Oil pressure is normal.

jyeager

When I did my first oil change at 500miles I had a large amount of bearing material on the drain plug. After that every one has been clean. You don't need to panic, but if you have any next time I'd send the oil in for analysis.
A complete oil analysis can give you hints about the source of the problem by determining the makeup of the metal in the oil.

Dope

iTrader: (2)

Whenever I change my oil, on any of my cars, there is always a fine metallic sludge on the magnet. It's pretty normal, according to me

Dope

minivette

Get an oil analysis done if you are worried. Runs about $20

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

WS6dan

I have an 02 ws6 and I had the same thing happen on my first oil change. The car had 6400 miles when I got it and had a small amount of metal filings on the drainplug. Other than that the car runs great, oil pressure great and think of anything being wrong. I have not changed the oil since the first time.

fstst n mnre

ive had a dozen or so ls1 cars that have not done that. but the first one i bought was a 98 TA and it did it every time i changed the oil (big as 1/4 inch long at times) drove the hell out of that car for 90k miles had nitrous on it too. still see that car running around a local town with old lady driving it. never had a problem. but if i had relied on the mechanics, i wouldve sold it or traded it off immediately, only to lose my *** and give someone one of toughest cars in town at the time. 11.72@121 back in 1998 w/nitrous current car 10.90 @ 125 NA stock bottem end w/130k miles.

JL ws-6

iTrader: (50)

I was searching on this topic, thought I would refire this thread. I changed my oil today, and had some of the metal dust, more than normal on the magnet in the drain plug, and I have almost 15K now. I ran regular 5-30 valvoline the first 6K, then went to mobil 1 5-30 ever since. I'm not sure what to think of it. The motor has always been noisy, alot of what most consider normal drivetrain noise. Oil pressure is always been at 40 or higher at idle, so I know that the pressure is good, and I have never had the same oil in the motor for more than 1500 miles. Anyone ever have an analysis done to determine the most common cause of this "metal dust", I am curious to know.

BigDaddyZ28

I had some of the metal 'dust' on my drain plug the first few changes as well, and so far (20k later) I have noticed no problems. I think that had it not been for the magnetic drain plug, I would have never seen this stuff.

I am glad that the magnet was there though. I am guessing that the magnet did it's job by catching the particles (vs. allowing them to continue circulating through the engine)

I believe that your engine will be fine!

unstopablez28

iTrader: (2)

i have the same thing in my oil and was wondering about that also.