Metallic Oil

**buswwa** · 09-25-2008, 05:17 AM

Allright, so just as the title says, took a look at the oil in my car, and saw little flakes of metal in it

. Im going to talk to my mechanic today, and see what he says. Could mean a few things. One, forged bottom end, serious pistons (build for a 150

shot) and heads rebuilt with a cam. Or two, crate engine ls2. I'll know more after noon today.

**Spaz** · 09-27-2008, 09:04 AM

were the flakes on the magnet on your drain plug??? if so it's no really anything to worry bout... but if your oil is coming out silver i'd worry...

**squee** · 09-27-2008, 10:10 AM

I'd build it for more than a 150 shot. Thats nothing. A stock motor should hold that no problem. I'd go with a stroker if you end up doing a forged bottom. Shouldn't cost much more, if any. And for the cost of a crate LS2, a 408 might be a better option.

**Blackbird WS6** · 09-27-2008, 10:20 AM

go with the 408, do it right the first time.

and you can put 400 shot if you want

**c5z28** · 09-27-2008, 01:00 PM

could have something to do with that spun sparring issue you had.

**lonewolf37** · 09-27-2008, 01:42 PM

If you want to know for sure, change the oil ASAP, and get a UOA. Cheaper than a motor.

**maxwax** · 09-27-2008, 02:39 PM

I had a similar problem on an LSX engine but mine always had piston slap,turns out the metal in the oil was coming from the piston rings and cylinder walls, eventually it had so much blow by it smoked all the time, but he oil pressure was always good.

**Hi-Po** · 09-28-2008, 03:24 PM

UOA's are the only way to actually get an accurate answer. Hopefully your mechanic knows that.

Do not buy a crate LS2. Waste of money, more engine can be had for same amount of money.

**Mr. Luos** · 09-28-2008, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

were the flakes on the magnet on your drain plug??? if so it's no really anything to worry bout... but if your oil is coming out silver i'd worry...

Please go more in depth....
How can any metal on the plug be something not to worry about?

**squee** · 09-28-2008, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Please go more in depth....
How can any metal on the plug be something not to worry about?

Don't know about you, but on every car I've changed the oil on, there was always a little, but if the oil is full of it and metallic, then thats a bad sign.

**Mr. Luos** · 09-28-2008, 04:48 PM

To a point.

A little fine dust is one thing, flakes are another.

**squee** · 09-28-2008, 05:04 PM

True dat. There will be some wear.

**Sarge** · 09-28-2008, 05:28 PM

Well lets talk oil

Firstly...it is a serious FUBAR to analyze oil with eyesight/color/smell. Get a UOA done and lets see what we have going on. http://www.blackstone-labs.com/gas_engines.html

Secondly most wear metals are non ferrous. Simply put....they wont be attracted to a magnet. Pistons are aluminum etc.

Thirdly there are lots of "shiny" components to a used oil soup that have nothing to do with engine parts wearing.

So lets get a simple and cheap UOA and see what is happening so we can adjust.

**buswwa** · 09-29-2008, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

were the flakes on the magnet on your drain plug??? if so it's no really anything to worry bout... but if your oil is coming out silver i'd worry...

Nope, definitely millimeter size flakes on the dipstick, swimming in the oil.

Originally Posted by squee

I'd build it for more than a 150 shot. Thats nothing. A stock motor should hold that no problem. I'd go with a stroker if you end up doing a forged bottom. Shouldn't cost much more, if any. And for the cost of a crate LS2, a 408 might be a better option.

Ok, so I should have said Im starting with a 150 shot to familiarize myself with how the bottle changes driving characteristics. The build will depend on the damage, but forged is where I told my mechanic I wanted to go.

Originally Posted by c5z28

could have something to do with that spun sparring issue you had.

I think thats more then likely the case. Before i broke it there was no metal in my oil. Now there is.

**Spaz** · 09-29-2008, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Please go more in depth....
How can any metal on the plug be something not to worry about?

for example a new engine or a rebuild... you're gong to have it no matter what... and you're still going to have this happen through out the life of your engine...

**espskillz** · 10-12-2008, 06:05 AM

First post i know. But I just bought a 99 z28 and me and my friend changed the oil and he said that there was some metal on the drain plug and got all serious about how i need an engine rebuild and i have a spun bearing!?

I saw it and it really wasn't anything that would have set off my alarm but i guess he knows more about it than i do. Also he is a big 4 cylinder turbo fan so maybe he was just making me feel bad for getting an 8?

all in all should i be considering a test as posted above to see if i have a spun bearing?

**Hi-Po** · 10-12-2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by espskillz

First post i know. But I just bought a 99 z28 and me and my friend changed the oil and he said that there was some metal on the drain plug and got all serious about how i need an engine rebuild and i have a spun bearing!?

I saw it and it really wasn't anything that would have set off my alarm but i guess he knows more about it than i do. Also he is a big 4 cylinder turbo fan so maybe he was just making me feel bad for getting an 8?

all in all should i be considering a test as posted above to see if i have a spun bearing?

Your friend is more than likely a tool.
If you spun a bearing you would know it. If the engine runs fine/strong.... why the hell would you re-build it? Get a UOA on your next oil change maybe.

**espskillz** · 10-12-2008, 03:26 PM

thanks He was telling me man dont get on it hard or you will have a blown engine and was like your car should have more balls than it does making me question my car! but thanks for your reinsurance.

**Sarge** · 10-12-2008, 04:35 PM

Your friend is full of shit.

**camarojunky74** · 10-14-2008, 05:55 AM

so its been nearly a month, is their an update to this thread?

and to that other guy with the fag 4 cyl friend, keep in mind, he knows nothing about cars, thus he's still tinkering with sewing machines.