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Metal chunk found while changing oil

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by BernsTaco, Dec 2, 2024.

  1. Dec 2, 2024 at 8:25 AM
    #1
    BernsTaco

    BernsTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I did something dumb and might be paying for it. 6k miles ago, I changed my own oil as I normally do, and for some reason I forgot to put on the oil filler cap or put it on too loose. Never noticed it was gone until last week when I decided to check all of my fluid levels.

    Oil level was fine, although it was darker than I like to see, so I changed my oil yesterday. This flake (not magnetic) was at the bottom of my drain pan, along with mayyyybe a hint of few ultra fine glitter or filth bits.... not any more than I'd normally see during a first oil change. However, this wasn't its first oil change, and the truck has 66k miles on it.

    Should I do one more oil change asap, or let it go until my next usual interval (5k)? Pic of the flake next to a quarter for reference.

    IMG_6832.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2024
  2. Dec 2, 2024 at 8:43 AM
    #2
    jmneill

    jmneill Well-Known Member

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    Carry on as usual, there's been no harm done.
    The flake is meaningless, and almost certainly unrelated to the missing cap.
     
    BernsTaco[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  3. Dec 2, 2024 at 8:49 AM
    #3
    BernsTaco

    BernsTaco [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you. My heart sunk when my son was helping me dump the oil into my storage container and he said "Holy crap! Is that part of your engine!?". 6k oil changed looked and smelled like a 15k change and I was getting sick to my stomach thinking about it this morning.
     
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  4. Dec 2, 2024 at 9:14 AM
    #4
    Midnight beauty

    Midnight beauty Well-Known Member

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    It looks like maybe a piece of bearing material, kinda hard to tell. If you’re worried about it change the oil again after about 500-1000 miles and take an oil sample and have it analyzed. They will be able to tell you what’s going on from the sample.
     
    BernsTaco[OP] likes this.
  5. Dec 2, 2024 at 9:26 AM
    #5
    jmneill

    jmneill Well-Known Member

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    There's nothing going on. Dude drove around without his oil cap for a minute, that's it.
     
    Barsoom likes this.
  6. Dec 2, 2024 at 9:29 AM
    #6
    Barsoom

    Barsoom Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a piece of foil from the oil bottle.
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2024
    Patch Barracks and BkerChuck like this.
  7. Dec 2, 2024 at 9:30 AM
    #7
    Barsoom

    Barsoom Well-Known Member

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    And, apparently, oil caps get loose often on the 3rd Gen. I changed my oil last week, and tightened the daylights out of the cap.
     
    jmneill[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Dec 2, 2024 at 9:35 AM
    #8
    hr206

    hr206 Well-Known Member

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    I forgot to put the cap back once and didn't notice for thousands of miles before I checked the oil level between changes. It was super dark. I changed the oil every thousand miles miles a few times hoping to "flush things out a bit". It's been 75k+ miles since and engine is still runs great, doesn't burn oil or anything, but the oil always looks darker than it should when I drain it.
     
    Patch Barracks likes this.
  9. Dec 2, 2024 at 9:36 AM
    #9
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    I wouldn't do anything but drive it and change the oil again in 5,000 miles.
    The oil filter is there for a reason. Let it do it's job. ;)

    Seriously, even if there was damage done.
    What are you going to do about at this point? Rebuild the engine.....Ehhh, No. :cool:

    I say, Drive it......

    And FWIW, the chances that damage was done is very low.
     
    Patch Barracks, Barsoom and jmneill like this.
  10. Dec 2, 2024 at 9:39 AM
    #10
    jrallan26

    jrallan26 Well-Known Member

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    Next time you change the oil keep it and do an oil analysis.
     
    Barsoom likes this.

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