Chunks of Metal in Oil

rossl1 · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 1:21 pm Post subject: Chunks of Metal in Oil

So I bought my first Sand Rail back in May. I have made good progress on it I have rebuilt the front end, changed out the throttle pedal, adjusted the breaks ect.

I have moved on to regular maintenance for the the engine. I set the points, valves, and changed the valve gaskets. Today I changed the oil and to my dismay I found metal chunks, shards, flakes, and some sludge.

Here is a picture of the biggest metal chunks. I put a nut next to it to show the size. That is a 9/16 nut.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I have put about 50 miles on the rail since I bought it and haven't noticed any run ability issues besides some minor electrical. I haven't checked compression yet. That will be my next check once I get the tool.

What should I do from here? Keep driving it until I have major break down? Tare it apart to assess the damage/rebuild? Buy a used motor in better condition? New long block?

I want to go the most economic route as I don't want to dump lots of money on a motor. At least not all at once and have the wife go bonkers.

WILDHARE54 · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 1:54 pm Post subject:

DOES THE METAL APPEAR TO BE MAGNESIUM OR ALUMINUM.
COULD BE A PISTON SKIRT COMING APART IF IT IS ALUMINUM. IF MAGNESIUM THEN ITS PART OF THE CASE.

TDCTDI · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 3:13 pm Post subject:

The only nut of that style inside the engine would be a connecting rod nut, those pieces look suspiciously the same size as the rod, almost like it was clearancing the case itself. I would definitely investigate further before running it again.
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rossl1 · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 5:02 pm Post subject:

The nut did not come out of the engine. I just put it in the picture to give a sense of scale. I think I will change the oil out again soon to see what else comes out. I would like to enjoy it for the rest of the summer! Crying or Very sad

I will try and figure out what kind of metal it is. I keep you guys posted.

EnjoyNukaCola · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 6:09 pm Post subject:

DAANG!
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Dale M. · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:50 pm Post subject:

Brian · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 8:03 pm Post subject:

I vote split the case
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Vanapplebomb · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:15 pm Post subject:

B Ramsey · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:41 pm Post subject:

Those are big ass pieces, if that is a 9/16" nut.

B Ramsey · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:42 pm Post subject:

Those are big ass pieces, if that is a 9/16" nut.

tripicana · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 5:50 am Post subject:

Is it leaking oil? It looks like case pieces to me...
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rossl1 · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 8:47 am Post subject:

I agree I think they are case pieces. They are roughly 3/4'' at the longest point. I will try and burn some of it to see if it is magnesium today. I don't have any major leaks like a hole in the case if that is what you are thinking.

It has a stock oil filler and it seems like it isn't breathing correctly which I believe was making it leak more oil because when I stuff a rag in it the leak got much better. If there isn't sufficient relief in the case could that cause major damage like that?

sloboatnova · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 9:56 am Post subject:

I wouldn't run it till breakdown as you might destroy other perfectly good parts like rods/crank, etc. Split the case to at least investigate.
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dustymojave · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 2:02 pm Post subject:

If the pieces are not from inside the case, they had to have been put in there by the last person who was inside the thing. I recommend against running that engine until it has been completely apart and put back together with any damage inside fixed. And you had probably better not try to ignite the pieces either. If it IS magnesium, and I can't imagine what in the world it could possibly be that is NOT mag, it will not be possible to put it out until it has burned out completely.
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Vanapplebomb · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 2:17 pm Post subject:

Those definitely look like magnesium to me. No sense risking good parts as other posters have said. Split that sucker. Wink

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B Ramsey · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:08 pm Post subject:

the case is trash anyway, I would run it. when it blows, get another.

sloboatnova · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 7:01 am Post subject:

I burned an entire case half in a campfire. It was awesome, but definately cannot be put out. It sparked and flashed for 45 minutes. Just gotta let it burn till it's done. Don't do it in a fireplace. Outside only.
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HERC · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 7:18 am Post subject:

Hard to say, objectively, as I've received motors with all kinds of random shit in the bottom.
I never usually say this but I'm with ramsey. Pull the plate and screen and scrape as much of the bottom as you can, re screen and plate, then have fun.
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Vanapplebomb · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:31 am Post subject:

HERC · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:20 am Post subject:

That doe's sound sensible. We'll just have to see what kind of man he is. Doe's he leap right into the clitoris, or knead the buttocks for awhile.
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