Scary stuff in the oil pan.

[drdwb]

So I'm changing oil on my 2003 EV and emptying the oil pan I find this. It is a hydro,but had all the recalls done,and at the time also had the oil pump changed, have never seen crap (definitely metallic ) like this in all the oil changes I've done, I've always run 5-40 Rotella T, always changed the filter with each oil change, and have changed oil at 3000 miles. So any guesses what it's from? Any suggestions what I should do to find the source? Would you ride it?

[cruzziguzzi]

Generally, the first thing I do is check to see if they stick to a magnet after being de-oiled.


Todd.

[oldbike54]

Generally, the first thing I do is check to see if they stick to a magnet after being de-oiled.


Todd.

 Yes , and see if it crumbles in your fingers .

 Dusty

[ccoli]

Rotella synthetic or Dino? Hydros call for synthetic.

[Bob Wegman]

Might be worth cutting the oil filter apart to see what is in there.  If nothing found its your call what to do.  If you didn't remove the sump would you have suspected a problem that would make you stop riding the bike? 

[ITSec]

Rotella synthetic or Dino? Hydros call for synthetic.

5w40 Rotella is synthetic - 15w40 is dino.

[fotoguzzi]

no hydro experience but I would ride it another 3k and see what comes out. cutting open the filter might be interesting if your really worried.

[rodekyll]

What they said.  If the oil pump was replaced in the recall, then you had a doozy, and there may have been detritus left somewhere that just kicked loose.
Also consider:
What I see is mostly mayo.  Mayo can form in the breather system, which includes a frame tube or so.  The tubes are cut and welded, but they are not cleaned out first.  They have shavings and chunks from the operations within them.  When the mayo mixes with chunks it makes a drippy, swarf sauce, which gets returned to the engine.  Then you've got chunky mayo in the oil.  As the mayo gets stirred up in the engine, it drops the bits.  Unless those bits in your pan clean up to look like the traditional detritus of a hydro meltdown, I'd think they came from the breather.

[drdwb]

So I did some dumpster diving retrieved the filter. See below. After seeing all the good responses,I kicked my self for not thinking about using a magnet, the magnet on the drain plug did have a few shavings resembling Phylis Diller hair. I do recall touching some of the larger chunks that crumbled between my fingers. So when I took apart the oil filter and drained the last drops of oil from I I used a magnet and got a few more little specks smaller than pin head, a few larger than the average bugger chunks that also crumbled between my fingers. So at least no big problems, so I will take Foto's suggestion and put some miles on and recheck. In answer to Bob, this was routine oil change.
 
Also Bob, how do you cut open an oil filter without  introducing more metal shavings? This is not the easiest task, you have a slippery surface and very sharp thin metal to remove. For a brief while I suspected I had been given the ultimate Wild Goose hazing task like searching for a left handed monkey wrench,or the board stretcher. It can be done. But must be done carefully.
Thanks to all the respondents.
Dave

[Chuck in Indiana]

When inspecting a filter, take the element completely out and squeeze it in a vise. That will show you what is really in it.
My guess is that Rodekyll is on target. It's not uncommon to find rust from the breather system in the oil pan. I've also seen the magnet itself disintegrate.. the flat ones.. but that apparently isn't your case. Carbon looks bad, but will break up between your fingers.
If it were mine, and I didn't find anything alarming in the oil filter, I'd just clean things up and run it.

[Wayne Orwig]

I do recall touching some of the larger chunks that crumbled between my fingers.

I see it often.
I believe it is caused be moisture in the vent system, the frame. That frame rust then gets back through the vent links, and into the sump.

What I have seen is rusty colored, and crumbles easily.

[RinkRat II]

 This is the tubing cutter I've used for years. It has a thin blade for PVC pipe so you gotta go slow but it works like a charm. Search around, they can be had for less.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ridgid-31652-Model-154-Quick-Acting-Tubing-Cutter-1-7-8-4-1-2-/202017123663?hash=item2f0928ad4f:g:IFAAAOSwvv5ZeiPP

    Paul B

[drdwb]

Thanks RR the right tool for the job always helps. I have one but not that big.