Metal Shavings in bottom of oil drain pan

[Blueraven]

I changed the oil today. Did it from the oil screen drain. After checking the screen, I have noticed some metal shavings on the screen not very much and then checked the pan after draining the oil into a container. There wasn't a lot but enough to notice. Is the NORMAL? Or is there something else going on that I should check.

[just call me Mr. Hibbs]

Blueraven, I suspect you were the first to ever drain oil from the oil screen plug. You probably will not see this again next time you change oil.

[Blueraven]

I think I did see this the first time too. There was some but not a lot. I just don't know how long it will continue to do it or if there is something else going on.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

How many miles on your bike? How many oil changes have been done total? After the first change using the filter screen I would not think you should see metal shavings. I always change mine using the side drain/filter screen and never see any metal shavings. I now have 15,600 plus miles on my bike.

[Blueraven]

I have 37000 on the bike and I have performed 2 of the oil changes. Saw some the first time I did it. I see some more again. Not alot but some.

[ringadingh]

Its normal, especially the first time you use the screen. Its most likely bits of gasket material as well. I get a piece or so once in a while now but nothing like the first couple times.

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

Its normal, especially the first time you use the screen. Its most likely bits of gasket material as well. I get a piece or so once in a while now but nothing like the first couple times.

I change via the screen too. Found some bits of sealant the first time, and nothing the second. Then again, my 1999 has less than 10,000 miles on it too.

[Yellow Jacket]

Have you checked your cam chain tensioners? It may be your cam chains are rubbing on the spark plug tubes. You can also pull the tubes and see if they are being cut into by the chains.

[macmac]

What color were these shavings? Does a magnet stick to them?

In 06 when I did my first oil change I used the screen drain, and in fact have never put a wrench on the other drain once.

When I bought the 06 it had 1,314 miles on it, so I am sure i changed the first oil change the bike ever got. At that time there was a little break in metalics, and some gasket goo.

Since then I change the oil at 3,000 miles like a clock, and never again found anything in the screen. I have around 21,000 now.

[Blueraven]

How do you remove the sparkplug tubes? I have since put it together and threw out the shavings. I will have to check it the next time I do an oil change. BTW, got the OEM oil filter apart. The kit for it is $13 CDN. I asked our Stealership in Hamilton about the kit and told them I put an after market filter in it. He just about flipped. I hear a lot of you putting after market ones on. There are no issues for me as I went to NC and back with not an issue.

[macmac]

I think the spark plug tool that comes with the bike will insert in the plug tubes. So far as I know they un- screw turning them counter clockwise.

Is your bike the year of a filter kit to change the oem filters frpm blowing up? I forget what year that was, but think it was in the 1500 series.

I run NAPA Gold and or WIX filters because i believe they are the very best. WIX makes the filters and markets them every where but for NAPA, and Wix is NAPA GOLD.

Chances are my 06 1600 is the last bike I will get, unless I get another cheapie in the stable sometime. My 1981 xs850sh yammi came off a junkyard scrap heap.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I haven't used the OEM filter since my first or second oil change. I now use the Bosch 3300 for each oil change.

[ringadingh]

Rhys; The spark plug tubes unscrew, find something that fits the hex and just undo them. I use a stamped socket from an old tool kit.
The Walmart oil filters are only $2.69 and Ive used them for all but the first couple changes with no issues.

[Top Cat]

I had metal shavings in my oil the first change.
Since then no shavings.
I change by he screen drain.
I use Rotella T-6 and Walmart ST filters.
Change oil between 3000 and 6000 miles, when ever I get to it.
Have 68,000 miles on my 07 which I bought new.
Did chain tensioners at 37,000 miles.
No issues so far.

[ndbigfish]

I've used standard oil filters on my 03 since I purchased it last year without a problem. I have the warranty replacement filter cartridge set-up if I need it. I decided to use standard filters due to the cost of the filter kits and the fact that the filter media is very small in the filter kit. I've only seen gasket material in the screen, except on my 99 when the teeth on the oil pump gear came off. Then there where chunks of steel in the screen.