Shiny stuff in oil

Resealed timing cover due to stripped waterpump M6 bolt threads, and to replace a destroyed crank key from an improper harmonic balancer installation.
the cover was on and off for about a week as parts arrived for the repairs.


changed the old oil right away, ran the motor for about an hour and drained again. The oil filter was not replaced.
After, I replaced the oil filter, and changed the oil again for the final time.



I stared inside of the oil filter and saw some oil left over.
This oil was dripping out of the oil filter when I took it off.
Its pretty dirty, I was kinda expecting that. I do not have a garage so the reseal was done outside.

But I am more worried about the shiny stuff I am seeing.


how bad is this?
keep in mind this is oil that was only run for one hour to flush crap out of the system that got in with the covers off
the motor ticks from both valve covers but it has been doing that since ive had it
other than that its been running great

 

The particles appear bigger than the micron size the filter should catch.
I am curios if they are steel. If you dip a magnet in the oil do the sparkles stick to it?

 

I'd get an oil analysis.

 

That oil in an oil bottle cap?

Sparkles are Never a good thing in oil.

I would run it for a week and then change it again to see what it looks like then.

 

Is this inside the engine? Any time a part has a catastrophic failure like this, you can expect shavings like this.

Agree with the others, change oil on a regular basis and keep an eye on it.

Did you do the work yourself, or did a shop do it?

 

I agree with above. First dip the magnet in the oil and see if the particles are metal. If metal not good. Also rub the oil and particles between your thumb and forefinger, you’ll be able to tell if the particles are hard metal like or soft specs like some “gunk” that got in the engine. I’m thinking it’s not metal but instead some contaminate that got in the engine. Also send a sample for analysis.
In the mean time I think I’d run the engine for an hour so hopefully most of the particles would get trapped in the filter. Then do an engine flush. Drain, new oil and filter and see what you got.

 

I'll cross my fingers that you got lucky and that's just mica from your local dust catching the light and sparkling. If you don't need this truck back on the road ASAP, I can add nothing to the above except to say that if the analysis comes back high in silicon, that's what mica is (metamorphic silicates).

 

So we are looking at oil that came out of the old filter?

Personally I would:
A) Make sure its not something simple like dirt that got knocked lose. To me, it looks like everything is ON the surface of the oil and not IN the oil?
B) Get you one of those cheap filter cutters and cut the filter open. If this truly came out of the filter Id image you'll see a lot more in the pleats

WHYQL 66490 Oil Filter Cutter,Oil Filter Cutting Tool Fits Filters Up to 5 1/2" Diameter (RED)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XW9NK2Z/
C) Send a sample of the old oil to Blackstone for analysis
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/product/oil-sample/

 

I am going to cut the filter open in the next week and see what the paper looks like.
I threw that old sample away (i had no where to store it) so all I can do is cut open the filter and see whats caught.

I used FIPG 103 from the dealer to seal up the timing cover and a few parts on the valve covers I am not sure if that contains silicone or not.
Also used red rags to cover most of the components while the covers where on and off. Some of that red lint was seen in that sample.

Not a catastrophic failure, accidentally torqued the balancer pulley to 184 ft lbs with it not keyed all the way in. it was a long day
key was destroyed and timing gear damaged. harmonic balancer also destroyed. all were replaced and the oil was drained before the first start.
I do all my own maintenance following the FSM.

truck has been running great so far, its going on a 9 hour road trip today

 

Yeah, but draining the oil doesn't necessarily get all the random bits of metal out.

I'm less concerned knowing you just replaced some stuff, that's a reasonable explanation for the particles. Just watch if it gets better or worse.

 

Will do. thank you