Brass Specs in Oil

[hppants]

My bike has 40k on it. Shifts perfectly normal, no change since I bought it with 5K on the clock. Absolutely no symptoms.

I've used Rotella-T 15W40 since Day 1, changing it faithfully every 3K, replacing the Bosch 3323 filter as well.

I'm getting ready for a week long trip.

Changed the oil this morning and when I dumped the waste oil, I discovered what amounts to about 15-20 very small specs of brass. I mean small - you can't even see them unless you hold the pan in the sun light. Maybe 1/10th the size of a grain of sand.

No noticable clutch material in the oil. It was dirty as expected, but it smelled normal. I cut the old filter open and I can't find anything resembling this stuff, or anything unusual for that matter.

Does anybody see this as something I need to worry about? I'm probably just being paranoid.

 

[08FJR4ME]

That's pretty small if I understand correctly. Not to worry just keep an eye on it next change. JMO

Dave

 

[HelzBelz]

Are you sure your waste oil holder was clean before you filled it? any similar looking dust around the garage? Just being optimistic..

 

[hppants]

The pan was clean before I dumped the oil. This is something I always look for.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

A few thoughts here:

1. What is there inside the FJR motor that is made of brass? Since you have disassembled one recently, you would probably know.

2. You are aware that 40K is a fairly insignificant amount for an FJR motor. Probably not serious engine wear/damage.

3. I sometimes see little shiny particles in used oil as I drain it whether it comes out of the truck, the tractor or the bike. I have never understood what they were but they reflect the sunlight almost like the metallic paint on the bike itself. Everything still runs fine.

4. I would probably start finding some good reasons to get a new bike if I wanted an excuse to buy a 2014 FJR ES. Honestly those excuses are getting easier to find for me.

 

[HotRodZilla]

you guys stress too much. Brass specs 1/10 the size of a grain of sand?? I didn't know we had any brass moving parts inside our engines.

Chill out and ride the stupid thing before you give yourself a heart attack.

 

[nankoweap]

Go on your trip. Have a good time. Don't even think about it. When you get back, change the oil and send a sample off to Blackstone Labs. Let them analyze what's in the oil and what's happening inside your engine. Blackstone will even send you some test kits for free...

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

 

[lnewlf]

It's gonna blow !

oh yeah, prolly some brass in alternator..

 

[escapefjrtist]

I'm probably just being paranoid.

Yup!

I see occasional shiny pieces when changing oil...ride more stress less!

--G

 

[hppants]

Thanks guys - I appreciate the support.

A while back I was returning from a 3 day, 1000 mile trip and my neighbor walked over. He rides a H/D Ultra-something. Puts a startling 400 miles a year on that baby and I remember the conversation:

(neighbor) "Man, you keep riding like that and you are going to wear that thing out."

(Pants) "I seriously doubt that"

(neighbor) "Well, if you do wear it out, what will you do?"

(Pants) "Buy another one and start over. If I'm lucky, I'll wear out 25 more after that."

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I have another theory about your shiny specks in the oil. Is it possible you blew past a Harley so fast you sucked some of the chrome into your intake? The FJR would have literally chewed the chrome up and ... Well, it showed up in your oil. I do seem to recall you playing tag with a Street Glide on Hwy 70 the day we met.

 

[dcarver]

I know Yamaha dirt bikes have brass bushings around the clutch inner hub. Any clutch sounds?

 

[ionbeam]

I'd be more worried about brass specs than brass specks being found in the oil . When the little bits are that small chrome plating and bits of nickle can also appear to be brass colored.

I wouldn't be too worried about what you saw. What you really needed to have done is cut open the oil filter and have a lookie-see. The most likely things to contribute these little bits could be plane bearings, transmission forks & dogs, clutch or simply casting crud still being dislodged from the cases.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I'd be more worried about brass specs than brass specks being found in the oil

. When the little bits are that small chrome plating and bits of nickle can also appear to be brass colored.
I wouldn't be too worried about what you saw. What you really needed to have done is cut open the oil filter and have a lookie-see. The most likely things to contribute these little bits could be plane bearings, transmission forks & dogs, clutch or simply casting crud still being dislodged from the cases.

Allen he did do that and found nothing in the filter. Stated in his earlier post.

Alls good, Keep riding amigo

 

[ionbeam]

...What you really needed to have done is cut open the oil filter...

Allen he did do that and found nothing in the filter. Stated in his earlier post...

Oops, I read the post yesterday but didn't have time to reply until today - the memory system gets a F. Guess I should have reread the thread before posting.

Nothing in the filter = excellent.

 

[ahchiu]

I put a magnet on the oil filter to pick up any fine metal parts, you can also use a magnetic drain plug.

 

[mcatrophy]

I put a magnet on the oil filter to pick up any fine metal parts, you can also use a magnetic drain plug.

Except for brass, most stainless, aluminium ...

 

[hppants]

Yeppers - the filter was clean. I do use a magnetic drain plug - a small film of material was on the end of the magnet - same as always.

No clutch noise - no symptoms what so ever. I should be fine. Next oil change, I might get a sample analyzed as suggested. Pretty good idea.

 

[lnewlf]

Magnetic drain plug on the pumpkin-might as well put one in the crankcase....$3 at Advance.

lot of steel in there-crank, entire valve train,clutch, tranny, starter, etc. all wear parts.