Steel shavings in motor oil: what to fear and how to prevent

The oil in the engine during operation changes not only its qualitative composition, but also its color. This is due to banal dirt, part of which is steel shavings. Where does it come from, how to recognize its critical amount and what lies behind the appearance of a metal abrasive, the AvtoVzglyad portal found out.

Friction is an integral part of the operation of an engine. In order to prevent metal parts from damaging each other, the motors use a specialized lubricant that can withstand high temperatures and for a long time perform not only its main function - to lubricate and cool the engine elements. But also clean it, taking soot, soot, various deposits into the pan.

When the engine parts are rubbed, of course, small steel chips are also formed. If there is not much of it, then it is also washed out with oil, and settles in the filter and pan, being attracted to a special magnet. However, if there is a lot of metal shavings, then serious problems begin. For example, dirty oil can clog channels, which will reduce their capacity. And then expect trouble.

You can recognize an excessive amount of steel chips in the engine by several markers: an increase in oil consumption, strange knocks in the engine, backaches under gas release, the color of engine oil is opaque with a metallic sheen (if you bring a magnet to such oil, then metal particles will begin to collect on it) , blinking or the oil pressure warning light is on. But what are the reasons for the formation of a large amount of steel chips in engine oil?

If the engine has lived, it has been improperly and infrequently serviced, it has undergone unskilled repairs - all this can cause wear of its parts. Chips appear when scoring on the crankshaft journals and wear of the liners are observed. If you ignore this problem, then in the future you can expect the cranking of these very liners, and the sagging motor.

Dirty oil lines that have been forgotten to be cleaned and washed, for example, after an engine overhaul (boring, grinding) will very quickly spoil the new oil, and with it begin their destructive process. And in this case, repeated repairs are not far off.

The total wear of the oil pump, cylinders, pistons, gears and other engine parts also contributes to the formation of steel chips. As well as the use of low-quality or fake oil or its infrequent replacement. As well as the desire to save on consumables, in particular, on the oil filter.

Among other reasons for the formation of metal abrasive in the engine are a dirty crankcase and oil receiver, a faulty filter with a stuck valve or a damaged filter element. As well as heavy loads on the motor when it is not warmed up yet. And, of course, oil starvation.

The engine is the heart of a car and needs to be taken care of. As with a person, it happens to junk. And if you ignore the minor symptoms of the onset of the disease, then soon the motor will definitely fail.