Metal Shavings in Oil

dulip welipitiya

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Apr 24, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/24/95

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Hi

I went to see a Pontiac Sunbird (1986). When I check the oil in it
I saw some shiny metal shavings in it. Not a lot though. Is this
a major problem or is it natural. Any suggestions.
Thanks

Dulip

John C. Sanders

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Apr 24, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/24/95

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My uneducated guess is its a bad sign to find metal shavings in your oil.
While in suspension the shavings can cause scoring on cylinder walls and
lead to trouble. I've heard of crankcase plugs that are magnetized to
attract such shavings allowing removal when you next drain your crankcase.

arie o dezwart

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Apr 25, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/25/95

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John C. Sanders (san...@nyc.pipeline.com) wrote:

Bearings are probably shot
the metal must be coming from somewhere inside the engine, doesn't sound
to good to me..

ADZ

tos...@athena.nrl.navy.mil

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Apr 26, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/26/95

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dulip welipitiya (dwel...@unlinfo.unl.edu) wrote:
: Hi

: I went to see a Pontiac Sunbird (1986). When I check the oil in it
: I saw some shiny metal shavings in it. Not a lot though. Is this
: a major problem or is it natural. Any suggestions.
: Thanks

: Dulip

Metal shavings are normal engine wear. The amount and size of the shavings
can be useful in determining if there is a problem. And don't worry about
them (the shavings) being suspended in the oil and causing scoring. Before
the oil gets pumped to lubricate the cylinders it passes through the filter
were the shavings will be traped.

Dennis

mf...@wizvax.net

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Apr 26, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/26/95

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In article <3nhee0$e...@pipe6.nyc.pipeline.com> san...@nyc.pipeline.com (John C. Sanders) writes:
>From: san...@nyc.pipeline.com (John C. Sanders)
>Subject: Metal Shavings in Oil
>Date: 24 Apr 1995 20:06:24 -0400

>In rec.autos.tech dwel...@unlinfo.unl.edu (dulip welipitiya) said:
>
>

>>Hi
>>
>>I went to see a Pontiac Sunbird (1986). When I check the oil in it I saw
>some
>>shiny metal shavings in it. Not a lot though. Is this a major problem or
>is it
>>natural. Any suggestions. Thanks
>>
>>Dulip
>

>My uneducated guess is its a bad sign to find metal shavings in your oil.
>While in suspension the shavings can cause scoring on cylinder walls and
>lead to trouble. I've heard of crankcase plugs that are magnetized to
>attract such shavings allowing removal when you next drain your crankcase.

It's probably from your bearings. Definitely not a good sign.

m...@i-2000.com

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Apr 27, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/27/95

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There is a common perception that all the oil in an engine goes through the oil filter before it hits the cylinders. This is
not true - the oil filter is not the only path to get up oil up there, so indeed metal pieces can and will cause damage if
left in the oil.

Michael

Rod Murray

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Apr 28, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/28/95

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> >I went to see a Pontiac Sunbird (1986). When I check the oil in it I saw
> some
> >shiny metal shavings in it. Not a lot though. Is this a major problem or
> is it
> >natural. Any suggestions. Thanks
> >
> >Dulip

No! Turn Back! This is more than a bad sign. If there are metal
particals in the oil so small you cant see but find through oil analysis,
this is bad. If you can see them, the engine is eating itself. I think
the previous poster who said the bearings are shot is probably right.
Stay away.

p.s. I'm surprised you cant hear something obviously wrong with this engine.

rod murray

The Almighty

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May 3, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/3/95

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Personally, I just think that Sunbirds are crappy cars. One of my friends
had one that blew its motor, another's was always in the shop, and so on...

Avoid these cars unless you really want to spend a lot of money on repairs.

Danny