Metal particles on drain plug
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NH
Metal particles on drain plug
Last July I changed the oil in my 2005 F350 6.0, and noticed a small amount of sludgy gray metal particles stuck to the magnet on the drain plug. I cleaned the drain plug and reused. The truck was parked December through part of April, and it’s been about 6000 miles and it’s time for a change (I normally go 5000 but there was a long trip in there). I just changed the oil…and same thing. No more or less than last time, but it’s still present. This time I replaced the drain plug and washer. Always use Rotella T6 and Motorcraft filter. Normally 5w40 but this time I am running 15w40. I did not see anything shiny in the filter element.
What should I do at this point, if anything? Truck is running great. No squeak from the engine like a lifter issue.
What should I do at this point, if anything? Truck is running great. No squeak from the engine like a lifter issue.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
This happened to me November 2017. Every engine builder I called J&K, Asheville Engine, and quite a few others all played dumb and didn't want to tell me what it was. You'd figure people who build engines for a living would know.
Bottom line: it was my main bearings that were worn. Folks told just to put to back together and run it but I had it rebuilt and they said the bearings were done. Minimal amount of polishing and they were able to reuse the crank.
Pull the engine, send the crank off, replace the lifters, have the heads and block machined, get new piston rings, new cam bearings, new rod bearings, new main bearings, send off the injectors, and you'll be good to go.
Bottom line: it was my main bearings that were worn. Folks told just to put to back together and run it but I had it rebuilt and they said the bearings were done. Minimal amount of polishing and they were able to reuse the crank.
Pull the engine, send the crank off, replace the lifters, have the heads and block machined, get new piston rings, new cam bearings, new rod bearings, new main bearings, send off the injectors, and you'll be good to go.
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NH
I’m thinking about sending a sample to Blackstone. I still have the drain oil. It’s just like a very light grayish paste on the magnet. This truck has been well maintained its whole life - I have records - and only 125k miles. Seems odd to have bearing failure.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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Sure does! I do oil analyses on all my drains, I just do it as a hobby I guess. I mainly look for fuel dilution or metal trends going up.
Experienced folks like @Toreador_Diesel can probably help as much or more, than an oil analyses, but you never know what the lab may find/see.
Experienced folks like @Toreador_Diesel can probably help as much or more, than an oil analyses, but you never know what the lab may find/see.
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
It's magnetic so it can be cylinder wall, crank journal, thrush bearing loss, or camshaft lobe wear. Lifters only seem to squeak when the roller bearings get whacked.
Bearing material is not magnetic unless you are worn into the shell. Connecting rod or wrist pin wear would result in a knock. Cylinder contribution or compression would indicate cylinder wall issues. Thrust can be checked with the fore and aft movement of the crankshaft, measuring off the damper. Camshaft lobe wear can be checked by measuring the lift of every pushrod or valve lift off the bridge.
Bearing material is not magnetic unless you are worn into the shell. Connecting rod or wrist pin wear would result in a knock. Cylinder contribution or compression would indicate cylinder wall issues. Thrust can be checked with the fore and aft movement of the crankshaft, measuring off the damper. Camshaft lobe wear can be checked by measuring the lift of every pushrod or valve lift off the bridge.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: unfortunately Germany
I think you should also take into account that you obviously only drive the truck a little. Therefore, it is possible that the truck still works for many years.
Have you already cut open the oil filter and pulled apart the filter element?
Usually you can find the smallest particles. If there is nothing in the filter, I would attach a strong magnet next to the oil pan drain bolt and observe the situation.
This engine here had run 284000 km / 177000mls.
The lifters were in good condition, the cam had slight wear. Cylinder bores looked good.
The engine got new heads and is still running with original cam/piston/bearings.
Have you already cut open the oil filter and pulled apart the filter element?
Usually you can find the smallest particles. If there is nothing in the filter, I would attach a strong magnet next to the oil pan drain bolt and observe the situation.
This engine here had run 284000 km / 177000mls.
The lifters were in good condition, the cam had slight wear. Cylinder bores looked good.
The engine got new heads and is still running with original cam/piston/bearings.
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