All that glitters ain't oil!!!

[Reedcutter]

Hi all. I think I know the answer to this but could do with some input. Did an oil change on my gl1000 and noticed in bottom of drain tray a bit of gold coloured metal residue. Is this a completely knackered engine now, or is there anything I can do to fix this as I don't know where it's from? Guessing the bottom end shims?

[virgilmobile]

Your probably right.I can't think of another source of brass particles from the engine parts list.
Does it have a low end knock or rod knock?
How many miles on it?

[wjnfirearms]

With age, some minute shaving of metal isn't all that much of a problem. It's seen with automatic transmissions all of the time in cars. No matter how well lubricated moving parts are, it is inevitable. I'm quite sure that if one analyzed the contents of most any oil filter, it would contain a small amount of metal particulates especially with older engines. It's when you see large amounts of particles or large pieces of metal that there's usually something to be concerned about.

Again, how many miles does the engine have on it? Does it sound funny and/or run strangely?

[Reedcutter]

Hi its done nearly 49000 and gets an oil change every year as its a trike and I don't ride it as much as I'd like to due to the rubbish British weather. It has no knocks. But was runnin a bit rough as I had a couple of float valves leaking. Filled crankcase up with petrol. I had it running just long enough for me to balance carbs. Then I changed oil. Hope this didn't damage engine. It's running really well now. Bit of blue/black smoke on start up. But it clears once go up road a couple of miles. I'm wondering if because I drained oil on a really sunny day, I just noticed the brassy dust in the oil more than usual.

[virgilmobile]

What you saw may have been normal wear particles that accumulated in the bottom of the engine over many years and stuck there with some gunk.
After the flood of petrol in the engine,it may have freed it loose and flushed it out with the oil change.
Look again in the next oil change.It may very well be clean.

[Reedcutter]

Thanks for that . Il keep an eye on it then. You have been a great help.