Metal in oil at 25k - 2023 Tacoma

[23tacoma]

First time poster so if I’m not posting correctly I apologize.

This is what I found at the bottom of my oil pan after pouring out my oil filter at 25k on my 23 Tacoma. I’ve done oil changes every 5k but noticed more flake on this change. I’ve done a couple blackstone analyses on this truck in the past (5k and 15k) and both came back normal. I did not take a sample from this oil change (accidentally contaminated it) but will 100% take one and send one next time I change it out.

For those of you that change your own oil frequently, does this level of flake look concerning to you? Truck drives fine. Just want to know what more experienced people think. I will take any bashing as a good sign that I am overreacting! TIA.

 

[OVERKILL]

Any change in oil pressure?

 

[23tacoma]

Any change in oil pressure?

No, not that I’ve noticed

 

[cptbarkey]

Your engine will continue shedding, do another around 50k. Search for other 2GR-FKS engines, their UOAs have been a little dirty. I might do one on my Sienna as we just hit 50k but i've been lazy.

 

[kschachn]

I know people on here have seen flakes in their oil but that hasn’t been my experience. That seems like a hecka lot for 25,000 miles, but maybe that’s just me.

And “normal” spectrographic analyses isn’t uncommon for failures that shed particles. The analysis cannot detect particles unless some pre-processing of the sample is performed, such as an acid digesting. The machine is protected from such particles.

 

[23tacoma]

Your engine will continue shedding, do another around 50k. Search for other 2GR-FKS engines, their UOAs have been a little dirty. I might do one on my Sienna as we just hit 50k but i've been lazy.

Hopefully you are right. I’ve gotten various feedback on my pictures on other forums. Some people are telling me it’s nothing, some believe the engine will go out any day! I’ll keep an eye on it and send another sample next oil change

 

[23tacoma]

I know people on here have seen flakes in their oil but that hasn’t been my experience. That seems like a hecka lot for 25,000 miles, but maybe that’s just me.

And “normal” spectrographic analyses isn’t uncommon for failures that shed particles. The analysis cannot detect particles unless some pre-processing of the sample is performed, such as an acid digesting. The machine is protected from such particles.

Are there any tests that would tell me what the larger particles are? I put a magnet to them and they didn’t stick

 

[mitsuman47]

Even if contaminated, I’d keep some of it and document your findings with the dealer.

 

[MRC01]

Cut open the oil filter and examine the pleats to see how much (if any) and what kind of metal it contains. Plenty of advice & discussion on that topic here if you search.

 

[Hall]

I’ve done a couple blackstone analyses on this truck in the past (5k and 15k) and both came back normal.

I think you can sleep fine based on this

 

[23tacoma]

Even if contaminated, I’d keep some of it and document your findings with the dealer.

As of now, I’m a little reluctant to go to the dealer with this. My truck has an OTT tune and I don’t want them to find out and use it as an excuse to void my warranty. If my oil still looks like this at 30k, I’ll reflash the stock tune and go to the dealer

 

[23tacoma]

Cut open the oil filter and examine the pleats to see how much (if any) and what kind of metal it contains. Plenty of advice & discussion on that topic here if you search.

Forgot to mention I cut the oil filter open. I found one small sliver of metal in one of the folds. It was clean other than that

 

[Reloader59]

Chunks of metal caught by the filter won't be seen in oil analysis.

 

[OVERKILL]

I know people on here have seen flakes in their oil but that hasn’t been my experience. That seems like a hecka lot for 25,000 miles, but maybe that’s just me.

And “normal” spectrographic analyses isn’t uncommon for failures that shed particles. The analysis cannot detect particles unless some pre-processing of the sample is performed, such as an acid digesting. The machine is protected from such particles.

Yup, basically, if you can see it, the spectrographic analysis can't, because it's too large for the machine.

 

[Glenda W.]

I would be concerned. Generally not a good sign.

 

[MRC01]

Forgot to mention I cut the oil filter open. I found one small sliver of metal in one of the folds. It was clean other than that

What I find in piston aircraft engines is a tiny amount of dust-like particles. A single sliver doesn't sound unusual in terms of amount, but a "sliver" is a different shape that could be an issue. I don't know.
Lycoming has a publication about how to interpret what you find inside the oil filter. It's educational but I don't know how applicable it is to cars & trucks:

Service Bulletin No. 480 F

May 25, 2017 MODELS AFFECTED: All Lycoming direct drive and TIGO-541 piston engines TIME OF COMPLIANCE: As per the schedule in Table 1

www.lycoming.com

Note that page 13 says, "10 or fewer short hair-like pieces of magnetic metal", which might match your description of a "sliver". This leads to "Corrective Action 1", which is to change the oil & filter, run it for several hours, then check it again.

BTW, why didn't the filter catch what you show in your drained oil? Seems it should have.

 

[Bill7]

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First time poster so if I’m not posting correctly I apologize.

This is what I found at the bottom of my oil pan after pouring out my oil filter at 25k on my 23 Tacoma. I’ve done oil changes every 5k but noticed more flake on this change. I’ve done a couple blackstone analyses on this truck in the past (5k and 15k) and both came back normal. I did not take a sample from this oil change (accidentally contaminated it) but will 100% take one and send one next time I change it out.

For those of you that change your own oil frequently, does this level of flake look concerning to you? Truck drives fine. Just want to know what more experienced people think. I will take any bashing as a good sign that I am overreacting! TIA.

Could you provide the brand/type/viscosity of oil used.

 

[KGMtech]

Keep going, document all the oil & filter changes and test oil again in 15k miles. Toyota will take care of you if a serious problem shows up, but they'll want evidence of proper maintenance. As if you didn't already know.

 

[JTK]

That's not metal flakes, that's Toyota party glitter.

 

[23tacoma]

Could you provide the brand/type/viscosity of oil used.

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0w-20