| Author | Message | ||
     Myzen |
I just did my 5000 mile oil change. This was the first oil change that I have done personally. The 1000 mile service was done by Thunder Creek HD in Chattanooga TN. When I was transferring the old oil to another container, I found a 2" piece of aluminum in the bottom of the pan. I found this after I had already replaced the drain plug and had it all buttoned up. Is this signs of a stripped drain plug or is it something else?  | ||
| Davidxt |
Cant imagine it been a stripped drain plug, you wouldn't of been able to torque the drain plug. you sure it wasn't already in the container you drained the oil into but never noticed it? | ||
| Ourdee |
That looks like something I'd put in my neighbors drain pan when he wasn't looking. Then ask him, Hey, what is that?Just to mess with him. The picture needs some scale. How long is it? Was it straight or curled when you found it? | ||
| 88b |
The picture needs some scale. How long is it? Was it straight or curled when you found it? 2" it says in the post. Can't make out from the photo but it's either foil from an oil bottle or it could be debris from where the swing arm was made. I'd clean out the drain can and drain the oil again, inspect it then put it back if all looks OK} | ||
| Hughlysses |
I'd cut the "can" off the oil filter and look through the paper element for similar bits. If you don't find any, don't worry about it. If you do find more, well, pretty much all you can do at this point is keep an eye on it. | ||
| Myzen |
here is a shot with a scale. To the best of my knowledge, the pan was clean and empty before I drained oil into it. That's not saying I am 100 per cent sure. I was the only person in the garage when I did the change so no one would have played a trick on me (hopefully). I plan on taking the piece to the dealer on Tuesday and let them see it. Here's the picture:  | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
Looks like remains from the machining process. The swing-arm is cast and then the holes are machined. Then cleaned. It looks like some was missed. | ||
| Myzen |
that makes me feel better. | ||
| Etennuly |
Have you tried a magnet on it? Is it aluminum? If so I would think the same thing, just missed on inspection and cleaning after machining. When new, both of my new Buell break in oil changes resulted in some sharp magnetic machining debris stuck to the transmission plugs. The engine oil plug was covered with fine metallic powder like substance. Nothing has been found on any of the plugs since. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Cut open that oil filter! That'll let you know if it came from an unimportant (less-important?) source like the swing-arm, or more critically from inside the motor. | ||
| Teeps |
I agree with Chris_in_tn; an engine shredding itself probably would not produce such a continuous piece. I'd be more concerned about a large quantity of small, metallic, flakes or fine powder. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Also, check your swingarm for a helicoil on the drain plug. It actually looks to me like debris from a drill bit - maybe the plug was stripped at the 1k and they drilled/tapped/helicoiled it? Totally acceptable repair (been running a helicoiled drain plug on my S2 for about 10k miles)...but if the bit debris went *up* instead of coming out with the bit... | ||
| Myzen |
Etennuly, it is definitely aluminum, I did try a magnet. When I inspected the oil drain plug, it was completely clean. That is why I was real surprised when I was transferring the oil from container to container and found that. Mike, that is a great idea, I will cut the filter open. Ratbuell, after closer inspection of the shaving, it does look like it could have come from a drill bit. I did snug the plug and used the thread sealer and a new o ring. Nothing is leaking so I don't want to remove it. I will check on the next oil change. Thanks for everyone's help. | ||
| Tootal |
+1 Ratbuell. It does look like a drill chip. Did the factory manual have the wrong torque spec listed on this plug? Maybe they followed the book and stripped it as mentioned. If that's true and they heli-coiled it I'd take it back and get a new cover. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
What are the chances of something that long standing on end and making its way out the drain plug? I'd ask you neighbor if they were around pulling a fast one on you. | ||
| Tootal |
If it was right next to the hole when he first opened the plug the force of fluid coming out would carry it right with it. Again if they heli-coiled it not good, if they put an insert in there then that's actually better than new if they did it right. | ||
| Swampy |
Probably a machining debris left over from manufacturing. Aluminum, won't do much harm....but I would check for more pieces. I would remove the suction line and fitting from the swing arm and make sure they are clean and not blocked by an additional piece. Anything that made it past the oil tank goes to the filter....but has to go through the oil pump first. Aluminum would probably not do too much harm to the steel oil pump but steel would,DAMHIK. | ||
| Myzen |
thanks guys. I will pull the line and check. |
