drain plug magnet

[NoSprk]

from thisoldtractor I did the sump magnet mod. this is from about 5-700 miles of riding.

[Don G]

So where is all that iron coming from? Still have lobes on the cam?  DonG

[fotoguzzi]

I bet your sludge trap looks pretty bad too.

[Cam3512]

Might wanna drop that sump and see what’s doin’ in there.  Was that fresh oil?

[RinkRat II]

   Which bike? Does it have an oil filter or screen? How many total miles ?

     Paul B 

[NoSprk]

no idea... i know my bike does have iron liners and a few specks may be from the bolt i had to drill out for the generator mount  ( forgot to cover one cylinder head with the cover off)

from what i could see with the pan off the cam and lifters looked fine.

i did this when i got the bike. the sump screen was pretty clean with a few chunks of non metallic crap. im assuming a old gasket of some kind. cant remember now, that was last year.

So where is all that iron coming from? Still have lobes on the cam?  DonG

[NoSprk]

i know my bike does have iron liners and a few specks may be from the bolt i had to drill out for the generator mount  ( forgot to cover one cylinder head with the cover off)

from what i could see with the pan off the cam and lifters looked fine.

i did this when i got the bike. the sump screen was pretty clean with a few chunks of non metallic crap. im assuming a old gasket of some kind. cant remember now, that was last year.

that was about 1000 miles on the oil. looked pretty clear on the dipstick. the magnet def looks bad compared to the oil

Might wanna drop that sump and see what’s doin’ in there.  Was that fresh oil?

[NoSprk]

my 72 eldo 850. no idea on the miles. has iron liners in it. runs good. good compression. it just has the screen and was clear about 700 miles ago when i took the pan off the clean the screen and install this

   Which bike? Does it have an oil filter or screen? How many total miles ?

     Paul B 

[RinkRat II]

      The oil you're using now may be of a higher detergent than was used before and now it's cleaning up the swarf in the crankcase. May need to do a couple more 500 mile runs, changing the oil and monitor the magnet My$.02

      Paul B

[Ratso88]

Similar to aircraft turbine engine, Magnetic Chip Detector, some applications have five or more per engine.
We also inspect the oil filters for debris when that interval comes around.

Mostly a condition monitoring tool. Rightly looking for chips and slivers of ferrous metal.
Bearings, Bearing Cages, Bearing Races, etc, etc, etc.

What you are showing there is kind of what is referred to as "light fuzz", no cause for alarm. Operate as normal.

Larger pieces are are found they are measured and sent to a lab for analysis. Inspection interval is decreased, say from 2500 hours to 250 hours.
If you get a number of clean reinspects the interval goes back to the standard hours of operation. Newly overhauled engines can be some of the worst offenders until they settle down after breaking in.

It gets pretty technical any time anything more than the light fuzz is noted.

But, those are roller bearing engines, Guzzi engines are plain bearing. As mentioned the cam and followers are about the only area of metal on metal contact. As you mentioned the cam looks OK.

If your oil pressure is good, meh, run it and check again in 500 miles. Depending of future findings increase or decrease the interval.

  run it and monitor

[guzziart]

My '72 Eldo had chrome bores that weren't flaking according to the original owner, here's what my sludge trap had in it.





uploadphoto

The lower rod bearings were toast but upper rod brg, crank, mains, cam, etc. were unaffected.  The bike had 22k on it.

[Ratso88]

Sludge trap filling up is definitely a potential problem on older Guzzi's.
They fill up and then start feeding your plain bearings a steady diet of grit.

Bit of work involved cleaning them out. Might be worth the peace of mind.

[Stevex]

Sludge trap filling up is definitely a potential problem on older Guzzi's.
They fill up and then start feeding your plain bearings a steady diet of grit.

Bit of work involved cleaning them out. Might be worth the peace of mind.

I take it this is a crank out job?

[NoSprk]

also not sure if it matters but my bike is a timing gear model so maybe that allows for more ferrous material on that magnet.

[Ratso88]

For sure, crank out to clean the sludge trap.

Timing gears shouldn't be adding any appreciable metal to your oil.

I'm not the super expert on older Guzzis. I'd think the flaking chrome liner from the original cylinders could be a potential issue, filling the trap.

It's what you're comfortable with that maters.

[NoSprk]

my bike has iron liners and im pretty sure its been gone through before i got it. sat awhile and like someone else said i think the oil im running had more detergents. gregory bender had more on his at the same mileage and i think his motor had alot less miles than mine.

id like to check that slugetrap eventually. i also have a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the bike and it seems real healthy but i know that doesnt say too much about the bearings.

For sure, crank out to clean the sludge trap.

Timing gears shouldn't be adding any appreciable metal to your oil.

I'm not the super expert on older Guzzis. I'd think the flaking chrome liner from the original cylinders could be a potential issue, filling the trap.

It's what you're comfortable with that maters.

[Chuck in Indiana]

but i know that doesnt say too much about the bearings.

Actually, it can. Watch the oil pressure as you shut down the engine. If it drops rapidly, the bearing fit is loose.

[NoSprk]

well heres another issue, my oil pressure gauge is on the right lower rear end of the block. in a casting boss that was never used from the factory. when i first got it someone said that was an oiling port that was never used. at a HOT idle im at about 20psi. when riding its well over 50-55. when cold it idles at 40psi

Actually, it can. Watch the oil pressure as you shut down the engine. If it drops rapidly, the bearing fit is loose.

[moto-uno]

  Not that those pressures are bad , BUT , a partially plugged sludge trap certainly won't lower the oil pressure .
  In other words , the oil flow and pressure may not be particularly great to the crank bearings :(  . Peter