Metal dust in motor, WTF is it?

jeb · 06-06-2001, 12:46 PM

I put in a rebuilt motor about 14,000 mi ago.

As with the old motor I had a small amount of metal dust on the magnetic drain plug every time I changed the oil. I assumed this was just due to friction, and it was normal, but there seems to be more every time.

When I adjusted the rocker arms to try and get rid of some of what I'm assuming is rocker noise, I noticed that same metal dust was accumulating in the rails between the rocker arms. I took one of the rails up to the machine shop I had the valve job done at, and talked to "the man". He said it was deffinately steel, and it was not bearings, because if I wore far enough through the bearing copper to get to the steel, I'd have problems. He suggested maybe my valve springs are wearing on the v.s. shims, and either pull it apart and track down the problem, or just keep driving it.

It has all new bearings, cam, lifters, springs, timing chain, and it has roller rockers. Where is this friction coming from?
If it were the v.s.'s wearing on the shims, how ould it get into the rails? Wouldn't it have to get filtered before getting pumped all the way back to the top of the motor?

------------------
90LX Ragtop.
14.7@95.3
Strut tower brace, K&N, 2.25'' Flowmasters, Hollow cats, Crank pulley, Crane 2031, Crane rockers, Holley FPR, 155lph, Heavy duty clutch, and alum quadrant.
Need Gears Bad!!!

Capri306 · 06-06-2001, 07:07 PM

I'm thinking if it's steel and not a bearing, it can only be one of a few things that rub. Those being the camshaft's distributor drive gear, the oil pump (sounds silly I know, but possible), timing chain, camshaft lobes, and rocker arm pivots to name the most popular spots. I can't imagine the valve guides would cause that kind of powder to form. Were the heads thoroughly washed before they were installed? Also, the oil filter has a bypass valve in it, so it's entirely possible for particles to get up there. I think you're going to be looking for a new engine soon to be honest. All that metal flying around does about as much good as tossing in a handful of sand. Something's grinding, so I think you'd better start taking things apart gradually until you find a bright shiny spot. Good luck.

------------------
Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online
1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73
1987 Mustang LX Notch

fiveohpatrol · 06-06-2001, 08:39 PM

i've heard of shops that say they clean your parts and just do a half *** job on them, when i had my crankshaft polished they said they cleaned it but i washed it out too and actually a lot of metal dust came out of the oil holes, im guessing this is what your problem is, i'd pull your motor, clean it out completely and check out your bearings, contrary to what your "mechanic" said i would NOT drive it if you want it to not seize up on you, good luck with it

------------------
88 Notch, 3.73's, Ported E7's, Explorer int. w/ ported lower, pulleys, 1.7RR's, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air ,MSD coil, U/L control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best 1/4--> 13.77@101.35

dashapht · 06-07-2001, 06:18 PM

Are you using guideplates for your pushrods? If so, they could be whittling away at the pushrods causing the metal problem. This sounds like the case especially since metal is accumulating right around the rocker arm.

------------------

dashapht · 06-07-2001, 06:19 PM

One more thing... if this is the problem, hardened pushrods should solve it.

jeb · 06-07-2001, 09:49 PM

No guideplates.

Unit 5302 · 06-07-2001, 10:26 PM

My uncle put a new oil pump into his 1969 Boss 302 when he assembled the engine a few months ago.

After a month or two of occational driving he lost some oil pressure. Turns out the shaft in the oil pump was wearing. It caused metal dust to accumulate.

So I'd have to say Capri306's suggestion on that item is totally valid.

06-06-2001, 12:46 PM	#1
jeb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Deltona Fl Posts: 140	Metal dust in motor, WTF is it? I put in a rebuilt motor about 14,000 mi ago. As with the old motor I had a small amount of metal dust on the magnetic drain plug every time I changed the oil. I assumed this was just due to friction, and it was normal, but there seems to be more every time. When I adjusted the rocker arms to try and get rid of some of what I'm assuming is rocker noise, I noticed that same metal dust was accumulating in the rails between the rocker arms. I took one of the rails up to the machine shop I had the valve job done at, and talked to "the man". He said it was deffinately steel, and it was not bearings, because if I wore far enough through the bearing copper to get to the steel, I'd have problems. He suggested maybe my valve springs are wearing on the v.s. shims, and either pull it apart and track down the problem, or just keep driving it. It has all new bearings, cam, lifters, springs, timing chain, and it has roller rockers. Where is this friction coming from? If it were the v.s.'s wearing on the shims, how ould it get into the rails? Wouldn't it have to get filtered before getting pumped all the way back to the top of the motor? ------------------ 90LX Ragtop. 14.7@95.3 Strut tower brace, K&N, 2.25'' Flowmasters, Hollow cats, Crank pulley, Crane 2031, Crane rockers, Holley FPR, 155lph, Heavy duty clutch, and alum quadrant. Need Gears Bad!!!

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06-06-2001, 07:07 PM	#2
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	I'm thinking if it's steel and not a bearing, it can only be one of a few things that rub. Those being the camshaft's distributor drive gear, the oil pump (sounds silly I know, but possible), timing chain, camshaft lobes, and rocker arm pivots to name the most popular spots. I can't imagine the valve guides would cause that kind of powder to form. Were the heads thoroughly washed before they were installed? Also, the oil filter has a bypass valve in it, so it's entirely possible for particles to get up there. I think you're going to be looking for a new engine soon to be honest. All that metal flying around does about as much good as tossing in a handful of sand. Something's grinding, so I think you'd better start taking things apart gradually until you find a bright shiny spot. Good luck. ------------------ Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73 1987 Mustang LX Notch

06-06-2001, 08:39 PM	#3
fiveohpatrol I'd rather be basketweaving Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,551	i've heard of shops that say they clean your parts and just do a half *** job on them, when i had my crankshaft polished they said they cleaned it but i washed it out too and actually a lot of metal dust came out of the oil holes, im guessing this is what your problem is, i'd pull your motor, clean it out completely and check out your bearings, contrary to what your "mechanic" said i would NOT drive it if you want it to not seize up on you, good luck with it ------------------ 88 Notch, 3.73's, Ported E7's, Explorer int. w/ ported lower, pulleys, 1.7RR's, BBK headers, off-road H-pipe, flowmasters, subframe connectors, 65mm TB, shift kit, March ram air ,MSD coil, U/L control arms, 155lph fuel pump, cheap 2800 stall, Crane Adj.FPR, best 1/4--> 13.77@101.35

06-07-2001, 06:18 PM	#4
dashapht Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: nashville, tn Posts: 72	Are you using guideplates for your pushrods? If so, they could be whittling away at the pushrods causing the metal problem. This sounds like the case especially since metal is accumulating right around the rocker arm. ------------------

06-07-2001, 06:19 PM	#5
dashapht Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: nashville, tn Posts: 72	One more thing... if this is the problem, hardened pushrods should solve it.

06-07-2001, 09:49 PM	#6
jeb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Deltona Fl Posts: 140	No guideplates.

06-07-2001, 10:26 PM	#7
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	My uncle put a new oil pump into his 1969 Boss 302 when he assembled the engine a few months ago. After a month or two of occational driving he lost some oil pressure. Turns out the shaft in the oil pump was wearing. It caused metal dust to accumulate. So I'd have to say Capri306's suggestion on that item is totally valid.