What should the oil look like after break in?

[mikemustang289]

Yesterday was the intial startup for the motor, I used regular 10w30 and started it for the first time, ran it for like 20 mins and then it cool down. I drove it again before changing it but not very far, I let it cool down and changed the oil today.

There was no big chunks of metal, there was some small material on the magnetic drain plug. On my fingers the oil looked new, as well as when I checked the dipstick. I put the oil in a clear container and out in the sun it looks kind of like metal flake, but very small, nothing I can touch or feel, but it reflects from the sun and is glittery. Is that normal for a first oil change?

Just wondering, I would assume some metal would be expected because the most wear the motor sees is on that first run? What do you think?

 

[dragnazz5.0]

sounds normal to me. all that metal is just all the skim that got knocked of when the motor turned over for the first time.

 

[Grn92LX]

Cut open the filter and see how she looks.

 

[mikemustang289]

How should the inside of the filter look? I assume just more glittery metal. I'll give it a shot but those K&N oil filters are a bitch to get open.

 

[Grn92LX]

Filter should be clean with no shavings. Shavings = probems. Use tinsnips to cut it open, not a hacksaw. If you use a hacksaw it'll make shavings.

 

[sunil6784]

I thought you are supposed to use a one weight oil for breaking in ?

 

[mikemustang289]

Filter should be clean with no shavings. Shavings = probems. Use tinsnips to cut it open, not a hacksaw. If you use a hacksaw it'll make shavings.

Well I cut it open and there were some very small pieces of metal, I don't know if I would call them shavings but big enough that I could feel them if I rubbed them between my fingers.

At this point I'm just going to put some more miles on it and change the oil again, I would expect that this time it comes out relatively clean. All of the clearances checked out/ oil pressure is good, and it runs excellent so I would be surprised if there was an issue. I also checked the distributor gear and it looks fine.

 

[5spd GT]

Change the oil once more, and see if you get the same results. You still may get some in the oil either way, left over from the old oil.

Usually the first oil change will be a bit on the dirty side (not necessarily shavings). I had no shavings, but the oil had a dirty tint to it...it was the assembly lube being "flushed" out and replaced with the oil. Second change, clean as a whistle.

 

[Roland69]

sounds like a normal break in

 

[bryce93lx]

dull grey metal is not a problem very normal, hard shiny metal is cam (bad), bronze and gold colored metal is bearings(worse), but from the sound of it you should be ship shape

 

[vristang]

Sounds normal, but worth keeping an eye on.

Other things...
It is best to change the oil while it is still warm/hot, as all of the debris/junk in the oil will not have a chance to settle out in the pan.

I have never heard of having to use a straight weight oil for break in.
Can anyone give some justification for this?

jason

 

[5spd GT]

I used 10w-40 for my break-in. Just regular Castrol GTX.