Metal Flakes In Oil - Did I Break It?

[AK Baller]

Quick question prompted by my recent oil change - I've noticed some metal flakes in my oil (I believe mainly coming from the filter) so I was wondering if this is abnormal and if I should be worried or if some flakes are typical...

The bike now has about 24K miles, last oil change probably around 2-2.5K miles ago, although I did just notice that I've used 10-40 Castrol GTX High-Mileage - not sure if the High Mileage part is an issue. I haven't added any oil since the last change so the level was at lower dipstick level.

Other than the flakes, there is no noticeable difference in the bike - no funky behaviors, noises, etc.

On a somewhat related question - how tight do you normally get the filter screws - I don't think there is torque number in the manual but I wouldn't want to overtighten.

Thank you

[crazydred]

[Bluesmudge]

Are the flakes aluminum or steel? You can check with a magnet.

[AK Baller]

I'll see if I can fish those out - which metal would be worse? And also how unusual is to get something like this in a bike after 2K oil change? I used to get some flakes in my car's oil - that was 120K miles ago, the car's still working well...

[sledge]

Might be an indicator of something, might not be. Engines start wearing from day 1 and debris in the oil as the miles rack up is not unusual.

If you have serious concerns the next step would be to check the oil pressure and compression. Procedures are in the manual.

Be careful with the filter cover studs, many have taken them up to the quoted torque figures and seen them shear.

[twocool]

Are the flakes really "metal"    often you get carbon flakes, which look like dark and shiny metal.  Carbon is normal...not a problem...metal on a 24K miles bike...uh...not so good....you see metal during break in...but should go away.

Did you see the flakes in the oil you drained out?  or on the dipstick?...or did you cut open the oil filter element and spread it out and inspect?


Cookie

Are the flakes aluminum or steel? You can check with a magnet.

[AK Baller]

The flakes were mainly on the filter - maybe be some in the oil, I didn't notice until I put the filter on my oil collector on top of other oil..., they are definitely metallic but not aluminum. There are no flakes on the dipstick now. I'm wondering if these could come from the clutch portion...

[Bluesmudge]

For the price of a gasket you could drop the sump and see if there is anything collecting at the bottom of the engine.

I did this after my GS shredded its starter clutch bolts. The sump looked like the dumpster behind a glitter factory. I still can't believe the bike was able to survive running with two bolts worth of metal shavings circulating around inside it. That was 5,000 miles ago and everything seems fine.

Just be careful, there are two versions of the sump gasket.  The gasket is different for models with an oil cooler. Not all the parts sites have the part # correct. If you put the wrong one in you will end up with low oil pressure. I know from experience.

[AK Baller]

wow, that seems lucky, from everything here sounds like I should be concerned... seems like a good problem to pass on to a mechanic... although I might gamble and see how the oil looks around Christmas time (at least if it's bad news bears for the bike, it would be a perfect time to ask for a new engine ).