Cutting open oil filters

[jpratt]

Does anybody cut open their oil filter after changing oil? I started opening my filters after this engine rebuild. I have just over 1800 miles on the street driven engine. Each filter should small amounts of metal in the filter. A few days ago I noticed a small knock so I decided to change oil after on 300 miles. I found a small amount of metal stuck to the drain plug and a very small amount of goldish metal in the oil pan. When I opened up th efilter I again found small amount of black metal fillings stuck to where the oil filter magets attached. And small amount of gold fillings in the filter media.

Is this normal to see gold and black metal in the filter after 1800 miles? I tried to take pictures but they are very hard to see and I decidednot to use the pictures. I know a small amount of metal will be in the engine but should there be any gold in color?

 

[TurboGN]

Does anybody cut open their oil filter after changing oil? I started opening my filters after this engine rebuild. I have just over 1800 miles on the street driven engine. Each filter should small amounts of metal in the filter. A few days ago I noticed a small knock so I decided to change oil after on 300 miles. I found a small amount of metal stuck to the drain plug and a very small amount of goldish metal in the oil pan. When I opened up th efilter I again found small amount of black metal fillings stuck to where the oil filter magets attached. And small amount of gold fillings in the filter media.

Is this normal to see gold and black metal in the filter after 1800 miles? I tried to take pictures but they are very hard to see and I decidednot to use the pictures. I know a small amount of metal will be in the engine but should there be any gold in color?

The small amounts should fall under the normal category. You may want to change filters and check again after only a few (5-50) miles to make sure the metal is deminishing. Most all should be gone after three filters. If not, watch it closely and drive the car easy. If the amount of metal increases, it'll have to be redone.

 

[Blown&Injected]

what are "small amounts" and where do you get the 3 oil change criteria?

 

[TurboGN]

what are "small amounts" and where do you get the 3 oil change criteria?

Good question. A lot depends on the definition of "small". After several hundred miles of driving, I'm saying to monitor closely, i.e., check often and change filters. I've found that if the matter isn't diminished or gone after three filters in 100 or so miles then there's a problem. That's MY criteria. If you have a better one then please share.

 

[bruce]

.

You might try sending the oil off for analysis. They can give you an exact feedback on what's in the oil.

 

[Blown&Injected]

I would think that there should be NO metal in the oil/filter. When ever I have found metal in the oil it was a very bad thing that did not get better.

I have read very good things about oil analysis but have no personal experience with it

 

[jpratt]

You might try sending the oil off for analysis. They can give you an exact feedback on what's in the oil.

Any suggestions on who to send the oil to?

 

[Tampa T-Type]

Gold

Seems Like A Bearing Issue !

 

[TurboGN]

I would think that there should be NO metal in the oil/filter. When ever I have found metal in the oil it was a very bad thing that did not get better.

I have read very good things about oil analysis but have no personal experience with it

That's what I've heard a lot of people say. In a perfect world that would be true. Small/few particles after a complete rebuild that go away, and they usually do, are not enough to get your panties in a wad. Or, you can freak out, analyze the oil, remove the motor, fly in Kenny D, completely disassemble, etc.. Seriously, the next time you buy any oil filter twist the threads on a finger. You'll find slight metal residue and maybe a particle or piece of metal thread but its no big deal because the filter will catch it. A lot goes back to your original question of defining small amounts. If you can pour the oil out of the filter and not see anything then you're probably okay. If you continue to see fine debris/particles you're not okay and an analysis would be the next step to determine if its a bearing, cam wipe, etc. related.

 

[Blown&Injected]

sounds totally reasonable but I was thinking the OP sounded like there was more than just a single scrap or the amount that a finger might collect on a new filter.

I ran so many different sized brushes and flowed so much cleaning soultion under pressure thru my engine there better not be anything in the filter - will know when I cut my filter open :wink:

 

[bruce]

Any suggestions on who to send the oil to?

CTC Analytical Services
1375 Greg St 104
Sparks NV 89431
(800) 524 7848

I've never dealt with them directly, I've always just gone thur a friend's shop.
Thou with the mule engine in the car, it's been awhile since I sent a sample in.

When I had a piston failure (unknown at the time we were draining the oil), when we sent in an oil sample.

In 2-3 days time, we got a call saying to immediately pull the engine out of service for AL contamination. And there saw no visual signs of any AL in the pan. The damage was above the top ring, and *you'd* think the AL left via the ex port....

The friend is sold on them, the diesels he services are $$, and the oil ana has saved his customers more then a few engines, by *seeing* blown headgaskets, before there were any symptons.