First time - cutting up an oil filter!

[CluelessUK]

Hey guys,

New here so hopefully this is the right section, I cut open my first oil filter this weekend - found a few tiny silver specks and some black particles in the filter which look like carbon? Either way not entirely sure if this is normal or if i should be worried so figured i'd post to see what you guys think and to hopefully put my mind at ease. Bit of background - car is a Bmw 335i (3ltr twin turbo) with 110k miles, the oil/filter was only 3-4k old and running factory spec oil, car had previously had a new crankshaft as the old one was scored - this was 20k miles ago and this is second oil change since). I tried using a magnetic pickup tool to see if any bits were magnetic which i also included pics of.

Any feedback much appreciated

Link to all the pictures here:

https://imgur.com/a/DoBQwDC

Or individual linke here:
https://imgur.com/PmjC0iT
https://imgur.com/PmjC0iT
https://imgur.com/ulwvjzp
https://imgur.com/OYC97kg
https://imgur.com/Ge9hCDF
https://imgur.com/Ge9hCDF
https://imgur.com/XU3e4ov
https://imgur.com/RcJObSI
https://imgur.com/xK7qxAz
https://imgur.com/qglLsww
https://imgur.com/dSYvqQy
https://imgur.com/jFJJvPp
https://imgur.com/CBZPaya

Got a closeup video of the oil filter here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91x6Cc97rzI

 

[StevieC]

I think because the old camshaft was scored and a new one was installed and this is only the second oil change since then, this is normal to see in your filter. I wouldn't worry about it. I would cut open the next filter since you have this ability just to monitor.

 

[Uphill_Both_Ways]

Vertical movies: Oh, the humanity!

Try holding the phone horizontally, not vertically, before tapping the start button. That would eliminate having to pan back and forth, makes closeups easier and better fits screens on every computer not a phone — and phones are easily turned.

 

[CluelessUK]

Originally Posted by StevieC
I think because the old camshaft was scored and a new one was installed and this is only the second oil change since then, this is normal to see in your filter. I wouldn't worry about it. I would cut open the next filter since you have this ability just to monitor.



Thanks for the reply - put my mind at ease a bit!

checking back over paperwork and seen it was the crankshaft that was replaced, I think the tech mentioned something about a possible spun bearing and scoring on the crank hence the dealership swapped it out under extended warranty.

Originally Posted by Uphill_Both_Ways
Vertical movies: Oh, the humanity!

Try holding the phone horizontally, not vertically, before tapping the start button. That would eliminate having to pan back and forth, makes closeups easier and better fits screens on every computer not a phone — and phones are easily turned.


Haha sorry I wasn't thinking of that - i've managed to flip the video on my phone and linked it below - not ideal but it's halfway to what you wanted ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMKZdRK8NO0

 

[StevieC]

Oh if you had spun a bearing and had crankshaft replaced then seeing metal bits is quite normal, I wouldn't worry at all. I would cut the next filter open and you should see either no bits or the bits start becoming less and less as the system flushes out the debris into the filter. We did a Crank on a VW that the oil pump had issues on for a while and their were lots of bits in the oil pan when we changed it. Look like someone was machining brake rotors into the pan.

 

[CluelessUK]

Originally Posted by StevieC
Oh if you had spun a bearing and had crankshaft replaced then seeing metal bits is quite normal, I wouldn't worry at all. I would cut the next filter open and you should see either no bits or the bits start becoming less and less as the system flushes out the debris into the filter. We did a Crank on a VW that the oil pump had issues on for a while and their were lots of bits in the oil pan when we changed it. Look like someone was machining brake rotors into the pan.

Haha thanks - feeling less worried about the car exploding on every morning when i start it now. Will drop the oil in 5-7k miles and recheck! Factory interval is 15k miles but i'd rather not risk it!