Metal flakes in oil

[Bobiam]

Some very good comments here........

So, to summarize, if metal chips are found, do a total engine rebuild, discover and correct the source, and hope the chips have not caused any serious damage.

As for the rest of us, do a precautionary IMS bearing change before chips appear or the bearing disintegrates.

Further advice????

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Bobiam

As for the rest of us, do a precautionary IMS bearing change before chips appear or the bearing disintegrates.

Further advice????

The IMS retrofit is designed to be a precautionary step (as in before the bearing starts to go), not a reactive one. If there is already metal, and in particularly ferrous grit, you would be advised to stop there until you know why, and repair that before doing a retrofit.

The cheapest IMS retrofit (done by a shop) is nearly half the cost of a replacement engine, if you guess wrong, you end up spending more than you needed to in the first place, and ending up nowhere.

[linderpat]

Originally Posted by Bobiam

Some very good comments here........

So, to summarize, if metal chips are found, do a total engine rebuild, discover and correct the source, and hope the chips have not caused any serious damage.

As for the rest of us, do a precautionary IMS bearing change before chips appear or the bearing disintegrates.

Further advice????

Yes, that is correct - do the fix before metal appears. Although this was already answered more than once in this thread and elsewhere numerous times, in simple English - waste of time and money to do the IMS bearing change once metal particles are found in the oil filter (or on the mag plug). Horse has already left the barn.

If you don't have the funds or inclination to pull the motor and fix or replace it, then simply drive it like you stole it, but keep the AAA card handy.