Metal On Oil Drain Plug Magnet!

[F9K9]

Okay, I have spent an hour searching while cooling off from the heat without any luck. My plans today were to rotate my 5 tires, oil, lube, check all fluids, wash, clay bar and wax! Those of you that know me are aware that much of the list didn't get done, in 8 hrs, due to crap like messed up caliber slide pins and a broken wheel lug.

Mechanically it is "good to go" but, I found some metal "fuzz" on my oil drain plug today. I really do not recall checking it or seeing it before. I just usually wipe the plug off and reinsert. A lot of the plugs from yesteryear didn't have magnets and that is what I was assuming to be true today.

Is this a concern at 30K with all but 600 miles using Mobil 1? What are the bad signs to watch for. How much metal should trigger an alarm?

Thanks,

Reed

[HenryJ]

Any metal is not a good sign.
Where did it come from? Metal parts inside the engine? That covers a huge portion. It is hard to say what it could be. What is worn? Moving parts. Again a huge portion of the internals. Loose timing might indicate camshaft , distributor gears or timing gears. Oil consumption or plug fouling might indicate cylinder wear. Noises like valve train or rod knock. Maybe crankshaft end play. Without tearing it down there is no way to tell for sure.
Is it a continuing problem? We don't know if you just noticed the magnetic drain plug. Maybe watch future oil changes for more.
How do we fix it? There is nothing that can be done. Use good oil , use good filters and change them frequently.
Be alarmed when big chunks find a way out. Those are usually preceded by very bad and very loud noises. They are usually followed by very loud and very bad expletives ( #$&!%#! ).

Don't worry about it. There is nothing you can do about it. If it continues, I would switch to another lubricant and see if that helps.

[Wrangler]

I traded in a mint 2004 Sierra with 32,000 miles in on this 2003 s-10 that had 64,000 The first time I changed my oil in my s-10 there was a nice piece of metal stuck to mine. I was freaking and felt sick considering what I had and what I got. My s-10 has an annoying rattle from about 1,500 rpms to about 3,000 rpms. I was thinking @!#$%@!#% #% my motor is shot. That was last November after just purchasing the truck. The past 2 oil changes nothing at all on the plug and nothing out of the ordinary in the way it runs or fluid levels yet. It now has 75,000 miles on it.

[killian96ss]

I found some metal "fuzz" on my oil drain plug today. I really do not recall checking it or seeing it before.

Is this a concern at 30K with all but 600 miles using Mobil 1? What are the bad signs to watch for. How much metal should trigger an alarm

Metal "fuzz" on the oil drain plug is perfectly normal as long as there is only a little bit on the magnet at each oil change.

Do you guys also freak out when you see metal "fuzz" on the transmission pan magnet?

Like I said the "fuzz" is normal as long as the end of the magnet doesn't have more than 1/8" of build up, but if you ever see small pieces of metal "actual shavings" or small chunks on the magnet then get worried.

Reed, the oil you are using is one of if not the best available so I wouldn't switch oil since it has absolutely nothing to do with the "fuzz" on the drain plug.

I would also recommend using a K&N oil filter part # HP2001 with the Mobil 1 since it has a high flow rate with very good filtering properties.

IMHO, K&N oil filters are by far the best oil filters available right now.

Steve

[HenryJ]

...Metal "fuzz" on the oil drain plug is perfectly normal...

I would not call it "normal". Not around here. My stuff usually has none. I do worry when I see "fuzz". Not that there is anything I can do about it.
The filter should be doing its job and trapping contaminants. The lubricant should be reducing friction between metal parts.
If it is a common thing I would look for reasons why. Are contaminants being introduced? Does it have a soft cam, flat lobe, or bad drive gear? Is the oil pump taking a dump?

The transmission is a little different since it has a fluid that has less lubricity and the clutch material has metal linings. Some particulate iron matter is expected after 50k miles. As would the differentials after a long interval. You will find it clean and free of "fuzz" if the intervals are not so long.

Metal fuzz in the engine , or transfercase worry me a little. Once is not so bad. clean it all out and refill with new clean oil. If it happens regularly, I start to worry.

[killian96ss]

...Metal "fuzz" on the oil drain plug is perfectly normal...

I would not call it "normal". Not around here. My stuff usually has none. I do worry when I see "fuzz".
Metal fuzz in the engine , or transfercase worry me a little. Once is not so bad. clean it all out and refill with new clean oil. If it happens regularly, I start to worry.

I completely disagree with you on this one.

Why is it not "normal" where you live to have metal "fuzz" on the drain plug magnet but every engine I have ever owned or worked on has always had a little metal "fuzz" on the drain plug magnet between oil changes.

A small amount of "fuzz" is perfectly normal on all engines because of normal wear.

If there was never any wear in your engine even while using superior synthetic oil then it should last forever right?

Like I said above metal "fuzz" less than 1/8" on the drain plug should be expected and is normal.

"Fuzz" is good, shavings and/or chunks are not.

Steve

[killian96ss]

The filter should be doing its job and trapping contaminants.

The filter does not get everything and oil splash on the cylinder walls brings metal right down into the pan.

Steve

[HenryJ]

...Why is it not "normal" where you live to have metal "fuzz" on the drain plug magnet but every engine I have ever owned or worked on has always had a little metal "fuzz" on the drain plug magnet between oil changes.

Boy, maybe you should try some different oil

[killian96ss]

...Why is it not "normal" where you live to have metal "fuzz" on the drain plug magnet but every engine I have ever owned or worked on has always had a little metal "fuzz" on the drain plug magnet between oil changes.

Boy, maybe you should try some different oil

Why?

I already use the best oil available.

From my experience a small amount of "fuzz" on the drain plug is normal so I have no reason to change anything because of normal wear.

I am only trying explain to others that "fuzz" on oil drain plug magnets is normal while you say it's a sign of problems.

We disagree which is cool, and it's not the first time or likely the last time , but at least we like to have good discussion.

I'm not saying your wrong, I'm just saying I disagree.

Steve

[F9K9]

Dayem Boys! Chill out but, you two always have very good points to make and the stuff to back it up!

I use Mobil 1 oil and filters, None of the metal particles were a size to be alarmed with. Very small shavings that stood up on their ends is why I called them "fuzz"

My extended warranty is good for another 45K so, it no big deal. I just never noticed the "fuzz" before but, could have been there all along.

Brule is a dino man, Steve is a pure synthetic man which, I find synthetic gives me marginally better MPG but, may not out weigh or eliminate the cost difference.

Will keep a closer eye on the shavings next oil change.

[HenryJ]

...Brule is a dino man...

Primarily yes, but I have been running synthetic for quite a while now.

[killian96ss]

None of the metal particles were a size to be alarmed with. Very small shavings that stood up on their ends is why I called them "fuzz"

Perfectly normal.

The next time you take your truck in for service at a GM dealership ask one of the techs about the "fuzz" and see what they say.

I just never noticed the "fuzz" before but, could have been there all along.

I would bet anything that it was there before like it should be, but it is easy to overlook during an oil change.

I find synthetic gives me marginally better MPG but, may not out weigh or eliminate the cost difference.

Synthetics protect a lot better than dino oil, have higher thermal properties, give better gas mileage, and flow better at cold temperatures.

You can also run synthetics 2x as long as dino oil so they really don't cost any more if you utilize them to their full potential.

Steve

[HenryJ]

None of the metal particles were a size to be alarmed with. Very small shavings that stood up on their ends is why I called them "fuzz"

Perfectly normal.

I disagree and so do the mechanics up here.
How many miles are you running between oil changes?

[F9K9]

3K normally but, 4K once and come to think of it, I may not have wiped it before.

[killian96ss]

None of the metal particles were a size to be alarmed with. Very small shavings that stood up on their ends is why I called them "fuzz"

Perfectly normal.

I disagree and so do the mechanics up here.

Steve

[F9K9]

hey! It is Traumatic for me! Who woulda thunk a 5 tire rotation with an oil and lube would have taken 10 hrs in 95 degree weather? A broken wheel stud (my fault) and the rear caliber slide pins "almost frozen" again !

Guys, keep an eye on those suckers and lube them per Steve's advice!

[purduecrew]

i had fuzz on mine once, and was a little concerned, but that last two times have been clean, and I cant trace that one time to any traumatic driving...

i think a LITTLE fuzz is normal, like around the edge of the plug, covered no, but some, no problemo...ive seen it on every vehicle ive changed oil in, using VARIOUS types of oil at VARIOUS mileages. maybe its just the Ohio Valley Reed.

[killian96ss]

i think a LITTLE fuzz is normal, like around the edge of the plug, covered no, but some, no problemo...ive seen it on every vehicle ive changed oil in, using VARIOUS types of oil at VARIOUS mileages.

Exactly what I was trying to say.

A little bit of "fuzz" on the magnet is perfectly normal and is not in any way a sign of engine problems unless the particles look like metal shavings or there are noticeably large chunks.

Every single engine I have ever changed the oil in that had a magnetic drain plug had a little bit of "fuzz" on it.

Steve

[HenryJ]

I'd try something different. You will never convince me that is normal. Little or nothing should be seen between oil changes.
Fuzz is more than little and is room for concern.
Take an oil sample and send it in to a lab. I have several pieces of equipment that I sample every oil change. 6 ppm iron in a sample is a red flag. Fuzz on the drain plug would show red for sure in a system with only five quarts.

If you get "fuzz" everytime it would be well worth your time to have a good sample analyzed. This may show you where the problem lies. If you are getting that much iron in the system, I can't image what the other levels of metals that are not iron might be

Take a sample and have it analyzed.

[killian96ss]

Oil analysis is never a bad idea, but doing it just because there is a little bit of "normal fuzz" on the magnet is just a waste of money.

Since this topic came up I asked a few of my "local" mechanics about "fuzz" on the magnet and all of them said it's perfectly normal.

Usually the amount of "fuzz" will decrease as the engine accumulates mileage.

The reason for this is because a new engine has tight tolerances and sheds material during the break in process.

The oil filter DOES NOT stop all of this material.

Oil splash on the cylinder walls below the pistons picks up metal being shed from the rings seating into the cross-hatch pattern on the cylinder walls, and this oil DOES NOT go through the filter first.

Once again this is perfectly normal and part of the break in process.

Bearings also shed material although at a very slow rate, but this is also perfectly normal.

The bottom line here is that all engines wear down and shed material which is why a little bit of "fuzz" on the magnetic drain plug is perfectly normal.

If you have an engine that sheds more and more material as the mileage increases then you might want to get an oil analysis to help track down the problem.

Steve

[HenryJ]

Parts have come a long way since those days. We no longer use the old cast iron rings. Pistons don't slop and swell like the old cast pistons did. Break in periods are not the bath of iron filings that once were "normal".
Engines are not worn out at 120k like they used to be. 200k is not unheard of for a late model engine.
I do disagree and think you will find a sample sent to a reputable lab agree as well.
I would accept a black residue on the magnet as normal, but if it looks like fuzz, that is not normal.
If you think it is, welcome back to the seventies.

[purduecrew]

hmmm he may have a point...all those vehicles were lower gm models....

[F9K9]

Well, I will just send some off to an acceptable lab, when I am scheduled an oil change and we will go from there.