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metal shards in my oil

senza

senza

New member
Joined
Jul 30, 2004
Location
BUTCHERTOWN, SF
Moto(s)
Ducati 748 / Aprilia Mille R / GSXR400 cafe racer rat bike
Aprillia RS250
I changed my oil and there were a bunch of metal shards in the oil filter off my 02 gsxr 750. I ran it without enough oil for a little while, hope the shards aren't from the pistons. What else could it be? The bike's performance hasn't changed.
 
senza said:
I changed my oil and there were a bunch of metal shards in the oil filter off my 02 gsxr 750. I ran it without enough oil for a little while, hope the shards aren't from the pistons. What else could it be? The bike's performance hasn't changed.
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Those shards are probably from the tranny or clutch.
Please give me your bike so it is not mistreated any longer.
 
What color metal? Bronze or shiny steel, or soft aluminum? What was in the OIL when you drained it? Shiny flakes, bits of steel or nothing. The most likely damage done by not enough oil is lack of bearing lubrication and destruction of rod bearings. It's unlikely the tranny or clutch were damaged, they are both oil bath and would be the last to be hurt. The places hurt would be the bearings under high pressure... con rod bearings, main bearings, cam journals.
 
afm199 said:
What color metal? Bronze or shiny steel, or soft aluminum? What was in the OIL when you drained it? Shiny flakes, bits of steel or nothing. The most likely damage done by not enough oil is lack of bearing lubrication and destruction of rod bearings. It's unlikely the tranny or clutch were damaged, they are both oil bath and would be the last to be hurt. The places hurt would be the bearings under high pressure... con rod bearings, main bearings, cam journals.
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What he said

Lack of oil will ruin engine bearings first.

Poor shifting technique will do damage too.
 
is it metal shavings?

is it metal chips?

or just metailc pearl looking stuff in the oil?

and how many miles on your bike?

either way chances are you've damaged the engine...

probally the main bearnings
 
Depends on how little and how long. One of the things that happens is things get HOT. The oil jets that coil the bottom of the pistons disappear. The intermittent flow to the bearings gets them HOT. I've seen a motor get so hot the paint discolored.

If there is no metallic flake in the oil you may be ok.
 
I have a Scott's reusable oil filter on it, the flakes collected in the bottom of it and I noticed them when I was cleaning it out. I just checked with a magnet and the flakes are aluminum, I didn't see any in the oil, just in the filter. These flakes are very fine, almost powdery. Thanks for your advice and suggestions.
 
IF there was no metal in the oil you probably skated. When shell bearings go, the oil will be FULL of shiny metal flakes.
 
senza said:
I ran it without enough oil for a little while, hope the shards aren't from the pistons.
Click to expand...

Might have to recommend that you fire your mechanic. :twofinger

The big tell will be what you do or don't find in your oil/filter during your next scheduled service. Oil changes every 3k miles is the general rule of thumb.
 
senza said:
I have a Scott's reusable oil filter on it, the flakes collected in the bottom of it and I noticed them when I was cleaning it out. I just checked with a magnet and the flakes are aluminum, I didn't see any in the oil, just in the filter. These flakes are very fine, almost powdery. Thanks for your advice and suggestions.
Click to expand...
How big are the flakes? How long did you run the oil? How low was it?....


Part of your problem is probably that Scotts reuseable filter... People that believe in them are the types that believe there's some magic type of oil that they can run for 15k with a wet clutch between oil changes according to something on the internet...
 
Main bearings usually die first from insufficient oil. Ask the fools who ride around on long wheelies and starve the engine for oil until the mains sieze up.
 
07chuck said:
How big are the flakes? How long did you run the oil? How low was it?....


Part of your problem is probably that Scotts reuseable filter... People that believe in them are the types that believe there's some magic type of oil that they can run for 15k with a wet clutch between oil changes according to something on the internet...
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+1 F**k that reusable filter.Spend the money on a quality filter(i use K&N) I have 19000 miles on my 01 GSXR750 oil always changed at 2500 miles never abused, have not seen any type of metals in my oil.
 
I don't think there is a problem here.

gixxerjoeca said:
+1 F**k that reusable filter.Spend the money on a quality filter(i use K&N) I have 19000 miles on my 01 GSXR750 oil always changed at 2500 miles never abused, have not seen any type of metals in my oil.
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I had 26,000 miles on a 1000RR with 5000 mile oil changes using a $2 oil filter :D
 
supertireguy said:
Might have to recommend that you fire your mechanic. :twofinger

The big tell will be what you do or don't find in your oil/filter during your next scheduled service. Oil changes every 3k miles is the general rule of thumb.
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Isn't this the same guy who stripped the threads on the plug to his oil pan? I think he needs a mechanic to maintain his bike. :rolleyes
 
Sane_Man said:
Isn't this the same guy who stripped the threads on the plug to his oil pan? I think he needs a mechanic to maintain his bike. :rolleyes
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BWAHAHA

it is the guy with stripped threads...


funny how you dont fix one "little" think and "just ride it for now" and they it turn to shit.

go figure :rofl
 
Starshooter10 said:
BWAHAHA

it is the guy with stripped threads...


funny how you dont fix one "little" think and "just ride it for now" and they it turn to shit.

go figure :rofl
Click to expand...

Ok, let's back right off the flaming right now before anyone gets hurt. The guy asked a question and it was answered. If you want to flame further, the mods are still working the year end quota and bonus package, so keep it up.
 
i think it's funny as hell...


i had a small tranny fluid leak in my crown vic several years back...

just a little drip...

i checked it EVERY day (and had to add almost every day.....)

2 months later i was under the car with a new trans.... =-P

live and learn i suppose
 
senza said:
I changed my oil and there were a bunch of metal shards in the oil filter off my 02 gsxr 750. I ran it without enough oil for a little while, hope the shards aren't from the pistons. What else could it be? The bike's performance hasn't changed.
Click to expand...

I would do a little searching/asking around. As far as I know, most engines shed some fine metallic flakes during the course of normal wear.
 
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