metal dust in oil on Apex

[Bigvander]

12k miles on stock 07 Apex. I changed the oil this week and noticed metal dust in the oil. No chunks, just very fine dust. I cut open the filter and no surprises. Is this normal? It seems like the filter should catch that.

 

[Sasquatch]

Define dust! Its not a term used with anything you find in the oil.

Do you mean quicksilver as in a shiny silvery pasty kind of stuff or do you mean metal filings? If you use a magnet can you pick them up? If you pick them up are there lots of filings or a little. If you rub them bettween your fingers are they really gritty or smooth and paste like?

 

[Bigvander]

Smaller than particles in metallic paint. I cannot feel them at all. No filings, just a metal fleck in the oil. I didn't do the magnet test.

It looked like the oil from the first oil change from a new engine that doesn't have a filter, knowing this because I just bought a new snowblower.

I stuck a rare earth magnet to the new filter. Now I'm wondering if that was a good idea (may impact bypass?)

 

[smokingcrater]

I don't think there is anything ferrous that the magnetic will stick to anyway. Engine is aluminum, bearings are brass... Piston rings are a steel/nickel alloy that might not stick to a magnet.

 

[Sasquatch]

Smaller than particles in metallic paint. I cannot feel them at all. No filings, just a metal fleck in the oil. I didn't do the magnet test.

It looked like the oil from the first oil change from a new engine that doesn't have a filter, knowing this because I just bought a new snowblower.

I stuck a rare earth magnet to the new filter. Now I'm wondering if that was a good idea (may impact bypass?)

Puzzling! Not seeing the oil its a guessing game as to what it is.

I don't think the rare earth magnet will have any effect on the bypass. That opens when the filter is plugged to the point of reduced flow through the filter media. Magnet on the side won't plug the media that I can see.

Not sure where it could be coming from! Wondering if it was just trapped in the system and just came out or if this is even normal. Truth to tell when I change my oil its into a common drain pan that is so black that you could not see anything if you wanted to. I've never really looked at the oil. What you have may be normal as there is always a certian amount of wear going one and particles falling out of suspension laying in the bottom of the motor.

When I drained my garden tractor the first time there where particles in the oil that I could see and it has an oil filter. Don't remember looking at the oil the second time I changed it. When I drain my sleds I'm going to have a look by draining them into a ice cream container.

If you worried you can send a sample of the oil to be analyzed.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ is one I found online!

 

[Bigvander]

I'd be interested to hear what your oil looks like. It may be normal. However I've changed oil on vehicles more times than I can count and Ive never noticed this. Maybe because of DOHC there are more moving parts which results in the noticeable paricles. I figured the filter would catch anything noticeable with the naked eye though.

I thought these filters bypassed at WOT? I could be wrong as I didn't notice a spring when I cut open the filter.

It didn't look near as bad as chain case oil but it had somewhat of the same shinyness to it. I'd take a pic but I highly doubt that it would show up. Plus I already brought it to the shop for recycling. I may drop a bit of the new oil to get tested.

 

[Sasquatch]

Last time you changed the oil in your sled you did not notice this? Or is this a new sled to you and first time you changed it?

 

[Bigvander]

I didn't look last time. I've changed the oil 4 times now.

 

[Irv]

Curious, what oil and filter are you using?

 

[Bigvander]

I've been using Yamalube full synthetic with K&N oil filter. I've changed the oil every season (2k-3k miles) and the filter every other season. I just switched to Amsoil 0w-40 with K&N oil filter on the last change a week ago.

I've been doing some reading on the K&N filter. It doesn't have the best ratings for filtration but allows for higher flow rate without bypass.

 

[Irv]

I've been using Yamalube full synthetic with K&N oil filter. I've changed the oil every season (2k-3k miles) and the filter every other season. I just switched to Amsoil 0w-40 with K&N oil filter on the last change a week ago.

I've been doing some reading on the K&N filter. It doesn't have the best ratings for filtration but allows for higher flow rate without bypass.

Thats the same with their air filters, not the best at filtering but the best at flow, which is something no one should be using on any motor imo (gimick, is all they are)

Not saying they're the best, but I have been using Hi-Flo filters now for about 5 yrs on my vector (previously used them on my 05 Grizzly) and never had a problem.

I think switching to Amsoil is a great decision, but keep an eye on your consumption. I used it in my Grizzly and my old P/U but both consumed it.
Lots run it without issue, but just check it frequently to ensure you don't have the same issues I did.

 

[Bigvander]

Well I'd swap out the K&N oil filter with Amsoil but I don't really want to tear it all apart again, or waste the $18 K&N filter. I'll probably run it for next season and see what I find, then replace with something else.

Yea I check the oil frequently. It consumed the Yamalube as well. Thanks for the info.

 

[cacsrx1]

12k miles on stock 07 Apex. I changed the oil this week and noticed metal dust in the oil. No chunks, just very fine dust. I cut open the filter and no surprises. Is this normal? It seems like the filter should catch that.

When it starts vibrating just shut it off .........before it totally locks up. My over maintained Apex lasted 3350 miles before it SXXX the bed.

 

[APEX 06]

Get the oil tested by a place like BlackStone Labs (the kits are free and testing cost 25.00). They will tell you everything that is in your oil and give you info on what to do to fix any issues. I do this on my Cummins when I change the oil.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/