oil contamination...

[SvalbardSidewinder]

crazy to me how moisture in the oil can look like bearing material... my brain thinks too much i need to turn it off lol. i have yet to drain mine again but i only have put a couple hundred kms on since doing the triple flush lol.

I was thinking the same thing. At first I was 100% sure it was metal and that the engine was done, but if it really was metal the magnet should have been fuzzy with metal particles. The magnet was completely clean, so that was a big relief.

After checking everything – draining the system, opening the oil filter, and seeing no metal anywhere – I’m now pretty convinced it was just condensation/emulsified oil from short runs and the cold climate.

So I’m definitely relieved that it doesn’t look like engine damage.

 

[connor wilson]

well thd

I was thinking the same thing. At first I was 100% sure it was metal and that the engine was done, but if it really was metal the magnet should have been fuzzy with metal particles. The magnet was completely clean, so that was a big relief.

After checking everything – draining the system, opening the oil filter, and seeing no metal anywhere – I’m now pretty convinced it was just condensation/emulsified oil from short runs and the cold climate.

So I’m definitely relieved that it doesn’t look like engine damage.

well to be honest bearing material wont show on a magnet... its non metallic, copper, bronze ext but because the filters clean i think it probably is moisture

 

[REDLINE 1]

Any opinions on oil change timing? Better to change at the end of the season or in the fall? I usually start the sled up once a month in the offseason and let the engine warm up to operating temperature

 

[Turboflash]

To me, any time oil is "contaminated", dirty, used, I want to get it out of my system asap. I realize the minute I run my engine with new oil, it begins to "deteriorate." I also run Filtermag. I've cut my used filter apart a few times and can always see where the Filtermags were positioned by a faint shadow on inside of case. I change mine at end of riding season.
I too run my sled once a month in summer. I not only run engine up to operating temp, but also run drive system too, cycling track etc. It has worked for me for years. My sled is stored in side a heated garage so it never sees below freezing temps.

 

[SvalbardSidewinder]

well thd

well to be honest bearing material wont show on a magnet... its non metallic, copper, bronze ext but because the filters clean i think it probably is moisture

Thats a good point

 

[Sevey]

On the moisture question - I had the oil tank off twice to reseal it in the past - and when I pulled it off there was condensation build up on the top of that tank both times.

My sled is stored indoors always (not heated mind you), and when I run it in the winter I dont shut it off til after a good session especially at the start of the season when I know the oil has been sitting.
In the off season it gets run sparingly just to cycle it (2-3 times) - to change the oil etc. And there is still condensation in the oil tank.....
I think its the nature of the beast - keep good oil in it and change it every season.

The debate on when to do it always gets everyone going - I think for starters to change it every season is the first thing - the second is to run these engines and get them hot.

MS

 

[HABS 1]

if in doubt take a oil sample.. i did to confirm coolent in oil but will list bearing material allso