Should I be concerned?

I recently completed a 3k mile road trip with some wheeling in Moab and the back country of Utah. Normally when I change the oil, I route it from the Fumoto valve through a bit of tube...



...directly into the catch can.

Tonight, my regular catch can...



...hit maximum capacity so I swapped over to a conventional pan...



...to get all of it out. As I was dumping the pan into the catch can I noticed metal shavings...



...in the pan. The pan was clean enough to eat out of before so I believe they came from this oil change.

I've been using the Fumoto valve and hose to dump directly into the catch can for tens of thousands of miles now so I don't have a clue as to how long or how much metal shavings have come out in previous oil changes. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and have been wrenching for twenty+ years on everything from mowers, sprint karts, dirt bikes, four wheelers, Jeeps, and now tacos.

This is a giant red flag for me. The truck has just under 95k, I use Mobile 1 and an oversized Mobil 1 filter. I drive conservatively even off-road and am meticulous with maintenance. I'm not comfortable seeing that much metal on a "broken in" engine so my thread title is my question to you: should I be concerned?

 

@Texoma can you please take a peek here an give some insight?
Alex that’s a bummer I’m clueless about this. Looks like shaving from a rod or crank bearing.
It’s appears to me both shiny an a brass flakes is that right?

 

Yeah looks that way. Diesel swap may have just moved up a week or two on the agenda.

Some of the dirt was probably already in the pan. I do keep it under a toolbox when not in use. But the shiny metal shavings are new.

Now that I think about it I've been getting a lot of engine knock at lower RPM's (1500-2000) when I out some strain on the engine, like going up hill.

 

It would be worth sending a sample to Blackstone labs would be in order.

 

Sound like a rod bearing or a main cap bearing.

 

• I'm concurring with the aforementioned experts, since I am an avid Hot Rod mag reader. Metal shavings are always not nice. You have half the mileage as me.!

 

I would be concerned about this.. Do you run 93 octane?

 

Curious why you ask...

 

I also have a 2013 with the 6spd like Alex, and i had similar issues with spark knock under acceleration at lower rpms. I had to run 93 to prevent it from happening

 

The 2013 trucks had a toyota TSB for a reflash because of this spark knock. I almost had it done but got it retuned instead

 

I've got a couple bottles on standby. I'm going to run 500 miles and collect a sample to send in.

Mid-grade.

I did just run a quart of Lucas fuel injector cleaner over the past 100 gallons. The knock subsided and I even got 19.8 mpg on one tank.

To be candid, this all seems a bit premature for this engine.

 

I 100% agree its premature for the mileage, no arguing that. But i do think its related to the knock youre having. I would try some shell 93 out and see how she likes it. Thats what made mine finally quit pinging

 

You were recently in the desert. I'm going with sand/debris that fell from the underside as you jostled around underneath.

 

I've run premium with mild results. It ran only slightly better than it did on regular with the same knock. I run mid because the truck seems to like it over regular, economy is increased, and I get the same results as premium.

With the Fumoto valve, it would be unlikely. Before the oil change I thoroughly cleaned inside and out. I was in roads with salt so when I made it back to Texas I sprayed underneath thoroughly. The dirt was also red, what's in the pan is undeniably shiny metal shavings.

Yesterday:

 

Get this, I took it in for the TSB for that and the dealership said they wouldn't cover it. The truck has a 100k warranty and they wouldn't do a damn thing.

 

Wow.. thats frustrating. I know a master tech up in MD if you want me to talk to him he might be able to reflash your ecu if you send him it. He flashed mine the the TRD SC tune. I have a stock ecu you could borrow while you send yours off if everything works out. If youd like me to check with him let me know!

 

Thanks bud, you're a saint. I'll have to think on it a bit before I commit. I'll let ya know.

 

Yup, sample to Blackstone. Also, when you drain the fluid next, pull the oil pan off and see what ya got in there. It reveals with black RTV or Toyota FIPG.

 

Think a 500 mile sample would be sufficient or should a drive a bit farther?