Yanmar Diesel Service - Metal Flakes

[crashz]

I have a John Deere Mini excavator (35D) that I pulled out this weekend for service. Changed the oil, filter, fuel filter and one track motor oil (still need to do the other but can break the plugs loose). JD filters, Rotella T6 with just over 100 hours and 2 years on the oil. Zero consumption, smoke, etc runs beautifully. 3802 hours on the machine. Air filters look clean and new.

The oil looked fine when I drained it, but the oil in the filter had shiny specs of metal in it. Seems like the filter trapped it all because the drain oil is clean.

I'm going to change the filter again after I get some more time on it. I used factory filters again but Amsoil 15w-40 synthetic blend. Anything you all think I should keep an eye on?

 

[crashz]

So one thought will not leave my mind. Rotella has been debated here for quite a while because of foaming issues. Passes spec per mfg / fails when tested by HPL. I don't want to re-hash that part.

This engine has the typical harsh idle vibration of every 3 cylinder diesel. At idle, it shakes like a paint shaker at Home Depot. At working speed its smooth (as smooth as a 3 cylinder gets).

Here the biting part: While shaking at idle, is the oil foaming uncontrollably? Should I always throttle up to smooth idle? I'm thinking that might be yes.

 

[TnT_M]

For peace of mind, I would consider doing a UOA if you are concerned.

With BITOG members you are going to get way more opinions than facts on what you should do next. You have Rotella lovers and haters, like many other brands, thick vs thin etc. You have to believe there are lots of vehicles out there using it every day...

 

[Dutchy491]

I have a 3 cyl Kioti diesel tractor, and I don’t consider it a paint shaker, but then I do have a couple of Harleys
I always bump up the idle a bit over 1000rpms when idling for a few minutes. I do use Amsoil too and change every other year at approximately 150 hrs.
I wouldn’t blame the previous oil, but I think doing some UOAs would be a good idea. Them Yanmars are good engines. However, Maybe dump this current oil at 50 hours to flush the system and then start UOAs …

 

[crashz]

Great idea on the UOA, I'll get a kit and do an early change.

I had a small Yanmar diesel in my John Deere tractor too, and it did pretty much the same thing. The more noticeable difference is that the excavator has hydraulic mounts, so its smooth at idle when in the seat, but if you open the engine compartment, you see it bouncing around.

 

[crashz]

So I'm not sure why it took me 5 days to realize that I could cut the filter open and take a look at the media, but yeah it took me 5 days to figure that out. So last night, I cut it open and...

... nothing. Not a spec seen by the naked eye. Nothing in the pleats that I can see, nothing in the bottom of the can. I put the remaining oil in a clear bottle to settle, but I don't expect much. I'm not sure what I saw when I removed the filter, but I'm much less concerned now.

On another note, the JD filters are very well built. Packed with pleats, a silicone ADV, and coil spring. Very nice!