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Aluminum or Stainless Steel shavings in oil?

T

tdwel

New member
I just changed the oil on a 2009 GS; the second oil change I've given it. In pouring out the waste oil I see metal shavings in the bottom of the collection pan. Is there any aluminum or stainless steel the oil could reach? I know the metal is not ferrous, as a magnet won't attract it. It also is not copper. I couldn't find any links on this subject, so I'm asking here. BTW, the bike is ridden by my wife, who rarely exceeds 60 mph and doesn't rev high. It's kept indoors, and treated gently, in case anyone was wondering. Thanks much.
 
I think I figured it out

A few weeks ago I added some oil from a new can. The aluminum seal from the quart can disappeared. I recall at the time saying to myself: "Well, Tom, if the seal fell into the oil, the engine will chop it up pretty good. Since it's not much thicker than aluminum foil, it won't cause a problem and will appear when I next change the oil....." Voila!
 
Doubt that it's stainless, aluminum good probability, could also be rod or cam bearings starting to go south. Just my 2 cents but I would send it down the road if it was mine. Could end up getting expensive to rebuild. I'd cut the filter open to see what you have going on.
 
If it was the seal from can it should been caught by filter, did you catch the drips the filter to see if more was there? Could always send oil used out for testing...
 
Bfromla said:
If it was the seal from can it should been caught by filter, did you catch the drips the filter to see if more was there? Could always send oil used out for testing...
Click to expand...

I would have to agree except it can't get past the screen in the oil tank and get to the filter. Sending the oil out for testing is a good idea.
 
billybovine said:
I would have to agree except it can't get past the screen in the oil tank and get to the filter. Sending the oil out for testing is a good idea.
Click to expand...
Thx i did forget that simple detail:opps: Has been a while doing my own service going that deep:bowdown: Any engine.
 
:welcome: Here's to hoping that this turns out to be a "Big-eyed" moment, that turns into nothing...
:cheers: :2thumbs:
(And yes; get the oil tested... :thumbup:)
 
Any pics? Hard to judge "shavings in the oil" without seeing them. Were these "shavings" in the oil filter too?
 
Last edited:
main bearing (between the rod bottoms and the crankshaft) failure show copper particles in the oil and especially bits in the filter(s)

don't ask how I know :banghead:
 
tdwel said:
A few weeks ago I added some oil from a new can. The aluminum seal from the quart can disappeared. I recall at the time saying to myself: "Well, Tom, if the seal fell into the oil, the engine will chop it up pretty good. Since it's not much thicker than aluminum foil, it won't cause a problem and will appear when I next change the oil....." Voila!
Click to expand...

Take it from an FAA A&P mechanic, that tiny little foil/plastic seal WILL do damage if it clogs the correct orifice.
(oil passage) You either need to be careful, or get a funnel with a screen in the bottom to catch that junk.
Am glad you dodged the bullet this time.
 
Well....

From the explanation you gave of the Ryder and riding style I would suspect the clutch system. There is always some metal in the oil for the first couple changes. Running the V-twin at low rpm's and low speeds will hammer the clutch both on the sm and the se. Especially hard on the se's (semi automatic )..:lecturef_smilie:
 
If that foil seal fell in the oil tank you really need to pull the oil tank, disassemble and get it out of there.
Remember, your adding oil to a tank, not the motor. There is nothing in the tank that is going to grind it up.
 
Also as the oil pump sucks the oil from the tank that aluminum bit could block/partially block the exit & starve the oil pump.

I would certainly find it & remove it.
 
Chupaca said:
From the explanation you gave of the Ryder and riding style I would suspect the clutch system. There is always some metal in the oil for the first couple changes. Running the V-twin at low rpm's and low speeds will hammer the clutch both on the sm and the se. Especially hard on the se's (semi automatic )..:lecturef_smilie:
Click to expand...

I agree with you Gene
Really hard on SE if rpm aren't kept up.

I have sm and shift above 6000
 
Thanks everyone

Good advice all around. For those wondering, it's an SM, and the operating rpms are in the 4,000 to 5,000 range generally.
 
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