B6 S4 - copper in oil?

[ZacY]

This 05 S4 with the 4.2L 5v V8 with the dreaded rear timing chains has 134k mi on in. Timing is tight and has no noise or codes.

I bought the vehicle from a 70 year old that owned it it's whole life, his son passed away and he drove it.

When I was changing the oil I noticed little what seems to be copper bits. When you open the oil fill cap, it's all over there. It's a thin bronze coating that flakes off.

Runs great and has no issues. What in the world could these little flakes be?

4

 

[cptbarkey]

Photos of what you think is copper in the oil would be helpful.

 

[kschachn]

A couple of other threads on copper flakes in the oil, the responses may be useful:

T

Thread 'Engine done for? Some hope?'

Jun 3, 2019

Hi all. This is a sad first post for me. I bought an 07 Audi RS4 about a month ago. The car has high mileage, 122k miles, but is clean and drives really well. I *thought* I got a really good deal on it until I changed the oil last week.

I noticed very small copper like gold flakes in the oil after I drained it. Its very fine and looks almost like metallic spray paint. I did a little bit a research and it seems like the rod bearings may be the only parts with copper(?). Is this motor done for? Should I stop driving it and consider a rebuild? The engine does not tick loud or knock.

I...

• TimeRS4
• Replies: 83
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

L

Thread 'How much copper metal flake is acceptable in oil...'

Sep 16, 2024

Got a "new" LS2 from a wreck, and did confirm 1-2% leakdown across the board. Internals looked as new as they get, however the first oil out of it had concerning copper metal flake pouring out the filter. The drain plug had a few mm of iron. So, did a oil analysis, came back 60 ppm copper - they said drive, retest as it wasn't indicative of failure. I just changed the oil, went around the block, checked the filter. Copper shavings again, not a ton but too much for a ride around the block. Maybe they were leftover from the last change?

My question is, at what point do I call it and tear it...

• lsbruh43
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Vehicles

S

Thread 'Copper colored flakes in engine oil'

May 12, 2021

Hi everyone,

I've had some very thin, shiny, copper colored flakes in my engine oil for the past 50 or 60 thousand miles. Internet consensus from a quick google shows this might be from bearing wear (engine: 2006 QR25DE), and the engine is ready to explode at any time, but as mentioned before the oil has been this way for the past 50k+ miles. Don't have any pictures, but will take some on the next oil change.

All UOA oil analyses have shown less than average wear metals for the most part.

Edited to add link to recent UOAs...

• silversapphire
• Replies: 18
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

J

Thread 'Copper flakes in oil catch pan'

Oct 12, 2017

Just changed oil in my 17 mirage. Car has 600 miles on it (yup I'm one of those guys). Oil change went well but I did notice a good amount of copper specks or thin flakes. They are roughly the size of the head of a pin. I found a uoa of this car that had 1000 miles on the factory fill and it showed high copper.

Would this concern anyone on a new car or can it be written off as normal break in? I plan on cutting the filter this weekend to see what I find.

• JoelB
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Mechanical/Maintenance Forum