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Metal shavings in first oil change.....normal?

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#1: Metal shavings in first oil change.....normal? Author: JungleJim,

Posted: July 8, 2009, 5:07 pm
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I just drained the oil for the first time in my wife's new RAV4.
For the heck of it, I ran my finger across the bottom of the drain pan. I noticed a few pieces of "grit". Upon closer inspection, I determined that they were probably pieces of aluminum.

Is this normal for a first oil change? I know the purpose of changing the oil for the first time with low miles is to get all of the little pieces out of the oil, but I didn't think I would actually be able to feel or see them.

I'm debating about going back up to Walmart and getting some cheap dino oil to run through it, then drain it again prior to putting in the the Mobil 1.

Is this normal?

#2: Author: John E Davies, Location: Spokane WA

Posted: July 8, 2009, 6:36 pm
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No it is not normal. Modern engines don't have stuff floating around in them like in the bad old days.

Did you keep the filter element? What did it look like? Take a magnifying glass for a close look, and flush it with solvent into a clean pan or paper towel to see if anything comes out.

If it looks bad, tell your dealer and have them do the next oil change. If there is metal next time, you have a problem. Well - they have a problem, you most likely get a new engine.....

#3: Author: BigSwede, Location: Minnesota

Posted: July 9, 2009, 5:21 am
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IMO it is normal for the first change...shouldn't be any for the 2nd change though.

#4: Author: Zeoth, Location: San Francisco

Posted: July 9, 2009, 8:09 am
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I agree it's somewhat "normal" but it all depends on how much came out. A little not a big deal. This is why I always overchange my oil on new cars. I usually change at 500, 1000, 2000 3500, 5000 and after that I go every 8,000-10,000 miles on full synthetic.

#5: Author: Colonel,

Posted: July 9, 2009, 9:49 am
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Zeoth wrote:

I agree it's somewhat "normal" but it all depends on how much came out. A little not a big deal. This is why I always overchange my oil on new cars. I usually change at 500, 1000, 2000 3500, 5000 and after that I go every 8,000-10,000 miles on full synthetic.

Where is flyingn when you need him? Laughing

I to subscribe to the "overchange" cycle at the beginning.

#6: Author: mensajero,

Posted: July 9, 2009, 9:53 am
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If you ask me, No, it isn't normal in any engine, new or old. Once it's running in the system sooner or later something will expire. Be it bearings, cylinder walls, etc. Check the particles that you have and try to see what kind of metal it is. If you can post a picture of them maybe someone in the forum might be able to ID the metal. Maybe even be able to tell you where is comes from. If you are doing the cheap dino oil, use some engine flush also. Try to see if their is more particles. If so, you got a problem, better yet, your local Toyota dealer has a problem.

#7: Author: BigSwede, Location: Minnesota

Posted: July 9, 2009, 10:15 am
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Every new engine I have changed oil on has some metal particles in the pan, on the filter, and on the magnetic oil plug the first time, including my RAV4. This is a normal product of manufacturing process. And I have never had an engine that blew up or even burned oil in lengthy service.

#8: Author: Esc, Location: Cary, NC

Posted: July 9, 2009, 10:32 am
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It is normal. What you are seeing is the break in of the pistons. As they move they create their own custom seats withing the cylinder. The metal you are seeing is what is discarded during the seating process. This is what the "break-in" period is all about.

#9: Author: RTexasF, Location: Rio Grande Valley TX

Posted: July 9, 2009, 4:47 pm
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My question is how clean was the pan that the oil was drained into? Was it totally spotless? No chance whatsoever of crud on the bottom of the pan? I think this could be much ado about nothing. Drive the car and enjoy it. Don't look for problems where none exist.

It would certainly be worth checking the filter and the (clean) pan on the next oil change I would think.

#10: Author: flyingn, Location: cinnaminson NJ

Posted: July 10, 2009, 9:38 am
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here I be. Yes there is a very good chance of metal shavings in a new engine. I have some sorts of maching leftovers in every new cars that I have changed oil in the last 25 years. For the cost of an oil change its surely not worth it not to change the first oil at 500 miles or so.

Colonel wrote:

Zeoth wrote:

Where is flyingn when you need him? Laughing

I to subscribe to the "overchange" cycle at the beginning.

#11: Re: Metal shavings in first oil change.....normal? Author: friendly_jacek, Location: SE region

Posted: July 10, 2009, 9:00 pm
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JungleJim wrote:

I just drained the oil for the first time in my wife's new RAV4.
For the heck of it, I ran my finger across the bottom of the drain pan. I noticed a few pieces of "grit". Upon closer inspection, I determined that they were probably pieces of aluminum.

Is this normal for a first oil change? I know the purpose of changing the oil for the first time with low miles is to get all of the little pieces out of the oil, but I didn't think I would actually be able to feel or see them.

I'm debating about going back up to Walmart and getting some cheap dino oil to run through it, then drain it again prior to putting in the the Mobil 1.

Is this normal?

Is yours V6? I saw that in mine at 23000 and 28000 miles oil changes. Very small and only visible in direct sunlight (glitters). Elongated but very thin. Nonmagnetic=aluminium. Bothers me some. I did oil analysis once and came back fine. The only reassuring thing is, most people don't look at used oil sediment under bright light, so it may be common but underappreciated.

Last edited by friendly_jacek on July 10, 2009, 9:05 pm; edited 1 time in total

#12: Author: friendly_jacek, Location: SE region

Posted: July 10, 2009, 9:05 pm
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Zeoth wrote:

I usually change at 500, 1000, 2000 3500, 5000 and after that I go every 8,000-10,000 miles on full synthetic.

You are hurting the engine by doing that. It has been proven that new oil produces more friction and wear. I posted about it on BITOG:
Link

#13: Author: SteVTEC, Location: MD/DC/VA

Posted: July 12, 2009, 9:19 pm
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friendly_jacek wrote:

Zeoth wrote:

I usually change at 500, 1000, 2000 3500, 5000 and after that I go every 8,000-10,000 miles on full synthetic.

You are hurting the engine by doing that. It has been proven that new oil produces more friction and wear. I posted about it on BITOG:
Link

Yup. And I see you have that backed up with some actual SAE white papers. Very nice. Thumbs Up

As proven by my own oil analysis on my RAV4 at 5000 miles, the factory fill oil is A-OK to go the full 5000 miles. Absolutely no need to change early.

Last edited by SteVTEC on July 13, 2009, 3:47 am; edited 1 time in total

#14: Author: georose,

Posted: July 13, 2009, 12:51 am
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Yes, I think it is most important not to change the oil prematurely during break in.

#15: Author: Zeoth, Location: San Francisco

Posted: July 13, 2009, 8:13 am
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SteVTEC wrote:

friendly_jacek wrote:

Zeoth wrote:

I usually change at 500, 1000, 2000 3500, 5000 and after that I go every 8,000-10,000 miles on full synthetic.

You are hurting the engine by doing that. It has been proven that new oil produces more friction and wear. I posted about it on BITOG:
Link

Yup. And I see you have that backed up with some actual SAE white papers. Very nice. Thumbs Up

As proven by my own oil analysis on my RAV4 at 5000 miles, the factory fill oil is A-OK to go the full 5000 miles. Absolutely no need to change early.

Good find but at the beginning I'm more willing to over change the oil to protect my engine from shavings and to flush more often. Once I steady out, it's pure synth at 8k-10k miles.

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