Thread: Metal shards in my oil filter

it's ok i had this its nothing to worry about just the engine eating itself.
you shouldn't be too concerned, just expect to have a look under the head at some stage when it's well crook or a pre-determined time that you are happy with if you depend on it for work ...mine will be 300k km

Sounds like main, big end or cam bearings.

If the engine runs well, I am not sure what you could do, apart from changing the oil regularly using good quality oil and maybe doing oil analysis as well.

drop the sump and have a look

if you cant find anything in the sump when you drop it then its the oil pump eating itself, which isnt too much to worry about as compared to some of the things that could be going wrong but isnt something you can ignore forever.

put a pressure gauge on it and see what comes up.

Thanks everyone,

I have a pressure gauge fitted, and on start up it reads 40psi up to 60psi when cold, which after it gets warm and reaches operating temp (engine temp gauge reads 175 deg Fahrenheit) oil pressure drop to between 20 - 30psi. I put this down to the engine oil thinning as it gets hot? I have yet to run her since I have changed the oil. But I filled her with 15w-40.


Will order up a sump gasket pronto!

Originally Posted by Veryan

Thanks everyone,

I have a pressure gauge fitted, and on start up it reads 40psi up to 60psi when cold, which after it gets warm and reaches operating temp (engine temp gauge reads 175 deg Fahrenheit) oil pressure drop to between 20 - 30psi. I put this down to the engine oil thinning as it gets hot? I have yet to run her since I have changed the oil. But I filled her with 15w-40.


Will order up a sump gasket pronto!

Sounds like Dave may be correct. I forgot about the oil pump. Mine sits at 50-60psi while driving with the engine warm.

cool. Looks like a painful task - replacing the oil pump while in the landy. tips anyone?

Before embarking on this task, is it worth driving it for say 500km, dropping the oil again, and seeing what turns up? Providing it doesn't blow up between then and now.

I have a spare oil pump, but have no idea if its for a petrol or diesel, judging from the parts book, there is no difference. is there?

James

PS pictures will be up tomo eve!

Originally Posted by Veryan

cool. Looks like a painful task - replacing the oil pump while in the landy. tips anyone?

Before embarking on this task, is it worth driving it for say 500km, dropping the oil again, and seeing what turns up? Providing it doesn't blow up between then and now.

I have a spare oil pump, but have no idea if its for a petrol or diesel, judging from the parts book, there is no difference. is there?

James

PS pictures will be up tomo eve!

Pulling the sump and the oil pump is not difficult, just messy.

It might be worth getting an oil sample analysed. If your oil pump gear is dying, it should show up as high aluminium in the sample. If your bearings are wearing, high tin/copper/lead.

Someone like ALS wearcheck can do it.

Veryan

I had exactly the same problem many years ago - it was the timing chain tensioner idler sprocket running out of alignment (I think because the centre bush had worn). Pull the front cover off before looking anywhere else. The little metal flakes are aluminium shavings from the sprocket, shaved off by the timing chain.

CHT