I've heard of some folks saying that they noticed metal shavings in their oil filters after the first oil change..well I just changed my oil and noticed a few small slivers of metal in my oil filter...only issue is I have over 28K miles and maybe on my 5th change


How concerned should I be about this and where is this metal coming from?



Goose

 

I know it's hard to not worry about that kind of stuff in oil, but it is usually normal to see slivers and specs of metal.

 

It's normal. You can pick up a replacement for the oil pan bolt. That has a magnet on the tip of it. These usually will help keep most of the fillings out of the engine. Your local auto parts store should have them.

 

Its Normal... And Just Another Reason You Have An Oil Filter...

 

Or give an oil sample to the dealer..

Have them check its metal content by a lab to see if its within normal specs.....

 

Goose......

First, if the shavings are in your oil filter then the filter is doing the job it's designed for. I would be worried if I saw the shavings in the oil as I was draining the pan.

Second, shavings have been in oil filters for over 25 years that I know of. Several friends and I cut open the spin-on filters a number of times and observed the same thing. Never seemed to provide an indication of any type of failure. Many of the vehicles had high to very high mileage on them.

Your just worried because on these cars you can actually look at (and see the contents) of the filter element.

If it really worries you, send an oil sample to Blackstone. If any mechanical part is galling enough to provide shavings, you probably would have metal counts very high in the analysis.

 

Probably right guys...just have not noticed in the other changes..I looked a little closer this time as this change the filter had the wavey look to it...weird...sometimes it does...sometimes it doesn't...also a cartridge reveals more I guess lol

I'll be sending to Blackstone (sample) anyways as I had planned to on a 7300 mile OIC of Pennz Plat



Goose

 

Its normal unless its excessive. Its not unusual to see a sliver here and there. (especially on a new engine) You should see the crap my motorcycles spit out. It's seriously unnerving sometimes

 

Oh, I forgot to add......

GM has a service bulletin (with pictures)on the metal shavings and the filter crush (don't believe it was a TSB....just a service note).
They indicate it's normal if not in excess.

If I can find it....I'll post. But maybe ChevyMgr can find it easier.

 

The only one I remember is this one addressing the first oil change. But as was stated before, this kind of debris has always been there and should not be worried about.

#PIP3404C: Machining Debri On The Oil Filter Element - Replace Oil And Filter - keywords aluminum change chips contamination engine metal shaving - (Nov 10, 2006)


Subject: Machining Debris on the Oil Filter Element


Models: 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Cobalt SS

2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR

2005-2007 Chevrolet Malibu

2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

2005 Pontiac Grand Am

2007 Pontiac G5

2006-2007 Pontiac G6

2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)

2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP

2005 Pontiac Sunfire

2005-2007 Saturn Ion, Ion Redline

2005 Saturn L Series

2007 Saturn Sky, Sky Redline

2005-2007 Saturn Vue

with any of the following engines:

2.0L Engine (VIN X - RPO LNF)

2.0L Engine (VIN P - RPO LSJ)

2.2L Engine (VIN D or F - RPO L61)

2.4L Engine (VIN B or P - RPO LE5)

2.4L Engine (VIN Z - RPO LAT)




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This PI was superseded to include 2007 models. Please discard PIP3404B.


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The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
On rare occasions, machining debris may be found on the oil filter element during the vehicle's first oil change. This debris consists of small boring chips and milling burrs from the oil passage that is between the oil pump and oil filter.

Recommendation/Instructions:
If this condition is encountered, replace the engine oil and filter. No additional repairs should be attempted since this debris does not affect the reliability or durability of the engine.