25k oil change metal shavings

Hi all,

Just looking for opinions on the amount of fine metal flakes in my oil. I change the oil myself every 5k. Ive sent samples to blackstone at 1k, 5k, 10k and 20k and they have not reported anything out of the ordinary. I always take a flashlight to my oil after a change just out of curiosity. When looking today, I felt like I saw more metal than I have previously. Picture #2 is oil drained from the filter. I would think I would be seeing less metal as the truck breaks in. Not sure if I should be concerned. Just to reiterate, I have sent samples to blackstone in the past. I am curious if anyone else seen a similar amount of metal while changing their oil AFTER the break in period. Truck drives fine, nothing alarming yet. I changed the oil in my wife’s 2016 rav 4 last week (100k miles) and there was barely any metal (even with a flashlight and even when looking at the oil poured straight from the filter).

 

why all the worry? what can you do about it? are you going to replace the engine? do you think the dealer will replace the engine?

 

I mean, I guess there isn’t much I can do until a problem arises. I’m just trying to gauge if this is a normal amount of metal flakes by asking those with 3rd gens who change their own oil.

 

You can always take an oil sample and send it to blackstone. They’re only about $40 and will tell you how well your oil is holding up and whatever they find in the oil as far as contaminates including metals they will put in the report. Easy piece of mind. https://www.blackstone-labs.com/standard-oil-testing/

 

Considering its a 2023 with only 25k miles on it, if something were wrong, it'd absolutely be within the warranty period. Fortunately, you have phenomenal documentation of the oil changes and oil analyses, so they'd have a hard time getting one over on you. I'd send a sample to blackstone, and take a sample to your dealer, voicing concern. Put the ball in their court and at least give them the opportunity to know about it so its on record. Maybe nothing comes of it, maybe you get bad news from Blackstone and can address it well before your warranty expires.

 

you prob got it in the pumpkin, the tranny, and t/case too. and so does every other gas car on the road.
what is the point of sending oil to bs 4 times a year?
if it bothers you the then an e-car would be better

 

did you see the first post? he sends it to bs every time its changed

 

How do you spell anal.
Do you examine what comes out of the tooth brush cleanings.

 

If Blackstone isn't finding anything out of the ordinary why worry?

 

No. You should not be concerned. Known problems that result in major repairs with this motor don't show up as metal flakes in the oil. They'll strike you without warning.

 

Ive seen their analysis reports come back stating bearing material, etc. That looks extremely suspect. I've only had that level of flake once and it was from a cam eating a distributor gear, i wonder if thats a coating on a gear or chain/spring (?) and not bearing material.

 

dont give him ideas

 

you counted all twenty five thousand metal shavings?

 

There seems to be more flakes than the last few changes, which is why I posted. I especially noticed more in the filter. I’ll send in a sample for this oil change and see what they say but I’m just trying to see if other 3rd gen owners are finding this much metal in their oil changes as well.

 

I'd say slow down don't panic. wait for the Blackstone results to come back. Nothing wrong with having an analysis done regularly. I have one done on my Tacoma at 4,500 miles when I changed the oil 1st time mostly because I was curious what it would look like for a new engine. I have not done it again till last week on the truck. I forgot to collect the sample a time or so. I previously got in to a habit to do one yearly with one of my oil changes on my old 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD Turbo Diesel That I owned for 12 years. It's probably over kill to the average driver but for someone that cares for their own vehicle I think it's a good way to see wear tend and if your oil and filters are effective. One test on my Jeep showed higher than normal silicon suggesting dirt was getting in the engine. on inspection I had a broken air filter latch that wasn't sealing right. So you never know how useful lit could be.

 

Ha I guess I missed that part of it. If blackstone doesn’t say anything then I wouldn’t worry about…oil should be gathering any contaminated and collecting it.

 

Do the flakes stick to a magnet ?

 

Have this sample tested or the next one to relieve your anxiety . I suspect your fine

 

1) Do you use that drain pan for ONLY the Tacoma?

2) Take your sample to send to BS after a few seconds of taking out the drain plug, direct from the flow from the oil pan, NOT from the drainage pan.

3) Could possibly be tiny air bubbles and not metal shavings. Look within the cracks / crevices of the oil filter for the best visual way to check for metal shavings / debris.