metal shaving ....... please advice - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

keithy · 03-07-2007, 07:41 PM

As I was checking the oil level of my 98 5sfe today, I pulled the dipstick, wiped it clean and dipped it in again. upon removing it, I noticed a small piece of metal shaving/fragment on the dipstick. Is this something that I should be concerned about?
The car has about 90k miles on it. I got when it was 80k miles. Religiously changed my oil with mobi 1 synthetic every 3000 miles. I plan to keep the car for years to come. Please advice me on what needs to be done before something bad happens.

ghettosled · 03-07-2007, 08:42 PM

drain and check the oil. see if there are more shavings.

keithy · 03-07-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghettosled

drain and check the oil. see if there are more shavings.

Thanks ghettosled for the quick reply. will do that this weekend. Is it even common for engine to have metal shaving as it age? I am a little worried now cause I cannot afford an overhaul.

Anyways, have you ordered the piezo yet?

ghettosled · 03-08-2007, 08:03 AM

hate to say it, metal shavings are never good. it shouldnt happen at any mileage. after you drained the oil, drag a magnet through the oil and especially towards the bottom to see if there are any more. with any luck, so wont see any stick to the magnet. (anyone want to chime in if there are any non-ferrious metals that wont stick?)

yup, ordered it, got it and is currently installed. my car is chirping like a birdie again. maybe i should update that post?

hooRAH · 03-08-2007, 09:22 AM

Aluminum shavings won't stick to a magnet, not that I can find any reason for there to be aluminum shavings in the oil pan, but anyway

If you found a single chunk, its probably just varnished oil. If you're having excessive gear wear, the shavings will be so small they'll almost form a paste. If you pull a transmission pan and look at the magnet, you'll see what I mean.

Any chunk of metal large enough to pick up with your fingers either isn't metal or you have SERIOUS engine problems. I doubt the latter.

keithy · 03-08-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooRAH

Aluminum shavings won't stick to a magnet, not that I can find any reason for there to be aluminum shavings in the oil pan, but anyway

If you found a single chunk, its probably just varnished oil. If you're having excessive gear wear, the shavings will be so small they'll almost form a paste. If you pull a transmission pan and look at the magnet, you'll see what I mean.

Any chunk of metal large enough to pick up with your fingers either isn't metal or you have SERIOUS engine problems. I doubt the latter.

I am going to change my oil this weekend(only 2000 miles on the oil) regardless of the milage. Hopefully, I will not see any more shavings. Like both of you guys mentioned, I am freaking out now because metal shavings is always not a good sign. But, I hope you're right hooRAH, about the single chunk being varnished oil. I will report back after changing my oil this weekend and see what happens. Thanks Ghettosled and hooRAH.

alotawatts · 03-08-2007, 01:05 PM

Consider pulling the oil pan for a good look at everything ?

keithy · 03-08-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alotawatts

Consider pulling the oil pan for a good look at everything ?

It would be nice if I could, but I do not have a garage. Got to work in the parking lot down by my apartment. I know it sucks, but I got to suck it up and work with whatever resources I have.