BoB3rt Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Fearing the worst but i will be honest i should have done another change before now I think. got the bike (zx6r '99) in spring 2010 with a recent oil change (i had to drain some out as was over filled) a year later i then did another change with stuff from hein gerick (semi 10w40 i assume).The bike had a busy year last year I think about 5k miles and then i went to a track day at the beginning of this year, i have now changed the oil now to Motul 5100 (better) and a better filter. However upon changing the oil i found small bits of metal (silver) and more importantly little shards of metal (no longer than 5mm, very thin, and no wider than 2mm) so they are small! I read the metal dust can clump and it being silver bits is better than it being gold, and that small shavings are not that uncommon but u can imagine my concern. i will post some pics ASAP and going to cut open my old filter tonight and have a look there, the bike seems to run and tick over fine with no knocking or odd noises etc. worried.com! Quote
Chrissb6 Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Fingers crossed for you Mate, that its nothing to serious. Quote
Joeman Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 sump plug is magnetic for a reason... I wouldnt worry about it mate Quote
Chrissb6 Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 sump plug is magnetic for a reason... I wouldnt worry about it mate 5mm x 2mm bits thats serious in my books, magnet should just be catching dust at the most Quote
megawatt Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 ,As said steel should stick to magnetic sump plug. Silver shards are probably alluminium from clutch basket. If clutch is noisy and sometimes difficult to engage/disengage then you need to look at the alloy basket for wear. As said, gold shards are a bigger worry as they are bits of thrust washers from the gearbox and or crankshaft. Good luck. Quote
BoB3rt Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 ,As said steel should stick to magnetic sump plug. Silver shards are probably alluminium from clutch basket. If clutch is noisy and sometimes difficult to engage/disengage then you need to look at the alloy basket for wear. As said, gold shards are a bigger worry as they are bits of thrust washers from the gearbox and or crankshaft. Good luck. My sump plug doesnt have a magnet on the end, and i just got a new plug (bolt) and a new washer when changing the oil.I did try a magnet myself with the shards and they dont attract, so this must be a little bit of good news judging by what you have said? I have recently changed my alternator gasket as at the track i lost a little oil but couldn't see where from and the casing has slight wear/corrosion on the exterior part where it meets the gasket so did it for safe messure. Possibly when scrapping the casing to ensure it was smooth from any old gasket or glue i have created little shards that could have fell in although i know i was careful and tryed to clear out any bits i may have made by flushing it out with a little oil(clean) before applying the new gasket and fitting it. To give you the full story to why i am worrying more so... i posted another topic (http://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=44299) not long after my track day about losing a bit of oil and the fact the bike lost power (like petrol starvation) but after shutting of throttle and back on it was fine.... it has ran and ticked over fine since then with no unusual noises. thanks for taking the time to read all this. Rob Quote
megawatt Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Here to help Rob. Could be worth a look at the alternator casing and the rotor. If you have lost insulation lacquer off the rotor or stator, you could have more problems. Also check the oil sieve in the sump. If you block it up with metal shavings , you will have oil starvation problems!!! Quote
BoB3rt Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 Here to help Rob. Could be worth a look at the alternator casing and the rotor. If you have lost insulation lacquer off the rotor or stator, you could have more problems. Also check the oil sieve in the sump. If you block it up with metal shavings , you will have oil starvation problems!!! Thank you, the alternator casing is still solid i gave it a good check when replacing the gasket and the new gasket has sealed well (inc gasket glue) as i have ran it to a high temp since. The rotor i am assuming is the coil covered electromagnet that spins inside the casing, as this seemed all fine and the cogs connecting it to spin. I am not sure what a Stator is or where the insulation lacquer would be applied. forgive me if am chatting jibberish I am not a mechanic however i pick it up realy quick and am not scared to do it myself. again sorry but which is the oil sieve? (where the filter screws on?) If i need to do this would it be ok to drain then filter the oil and put it back in as i have only just changed it. thanks! Quote
megawatt Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Yes the rotor spins, usually on the end of the crankshaft. The stator is fixed to the inside of the alternator casing. if the clearances aren't right, the rotor could touch the stator! The oil sieve is usually in the sump. If you drop your oil and leave it to settle or sieve it, you can have another look for metal bits. Drop your sump or sump plate and you should see the sieve, which picks up oil from the sump on the way through the oil pump and then to the oil filter. Ther may be metal bits on the sieve. Change your drain bolt for one with a magnet in? Quote
BoB3rt Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 Ok home and spending more time looking at the 'metal' material. it looks a bit more like graphite colour dark silver and crumbles if i crush it in my fingers going to try run a current though a piece now as a magnet has no affect. I forgot to mention or only just thought i did replace the rocker gasket myself but again i was very careful clearing the areas of old gasket and glue but perhaps some fell in..? i hope it was just that and nothing serious. Thanks! Quote
megawatt Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 It is still worth dropping the sump and checking/cleaning the oil sieve mate. If you lose oil pressure due to a blocked sieve, you will quickly wreck your engine!!! Quote
BoB3rt Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 This sounds daft i know but its going to have to be a gamble I leave to go the track tomorrow and i am in work all day, i have no time. It ran ok last time and has been running and revving fine to a high temp so friday should be ok (famius last words!) and better now it has fresh oil in her! Here is some pics now... This looks worse than it actually is: here she is the bamn b*tch! i love her really! Quote
Chrissb6 Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 l'm afraid that looks like something is breaking up. If l was you l would strip it down, the motor has given you fair warning its not happy. Quote
BoB3rt Posted August 30, 2012 Author Posted August 30, 2012 l'm afraid that looks like something is breaking up. If l was you l would strip it down, the motor has given you fair warning its not happy. Tomorrow should be fun then... going to be a gamble that it lasts the day and then i can get it stripped. I never have any luck with bikes, always seems its something that is a show stopper, never just a flat tyre and get it changed. Quote
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