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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

Just changed the oil and filter in wife's 2008 V70 3.2. Found several shiny metal chips in the oil, each about the size of a grain of rice.

Also had a reddish foam on the surface on the old oil. Fwiw, the oil was cool when changed. Castrol 5w30.

Most concerned about the chips. Car runs great, doesn't use oil, no unusual noises around the R.E.A.D. area.

No metal in oil filter.

What to do?








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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

Was your oil change procedure different in any way? Did you do an autopsy on the filter?

I had a '66 Dodge with a slant six engine that was abused. On the third oil change, I jacked the front end up because the plug was on the rear of the pan. I was rewarded with about what looked like a cup of sand!

Eventually, I pulled the pan and found it was full of sludge - the pick-up strainer was almost completely blocked - old school - I put some gasoline on it and burned the strainer to clean it up!

Let us know what you find.








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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

Speaking of cleaning things with gasoline.....

The PCV system's oil "return route" to the oil pan goes through a tight turn which can clog.
Does it make sense to simply add 5 quarts of a solvent like denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner to a drained oil pan and let it soak?

Also, if physical cleaning is required, does the pan need to be removed or can LARGE pipe cleaners be used?








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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

Because there are low spots in the pan, I would never use 'solvents' in the sump. It would be impossible to get all of it out without dropping the pan. I just used a piece of oak to scrape the opening and clean it.

Best bet is to use very good synthetic oil, 0W30, and occasionally run the engine at 5,000 and get the engine oil really hot. Remember, these engines were designed to run fast, not to go 3 miles to the grocery store.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

Thanks for the reply. I'm now running Mobil1 0W-40 European Formula (an A3,B3 synthetic well suited to turbos) for the purported cleaning benefits.

"I just used a piece of oak to scrape the opening and clean it." is intriguing. I thought the passage was a right angle and it required either removal of the pan or some nonexistent flexible tool to clean thoroughly.









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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

Correct, the passage through the block is a right angle downward to the sump. What gets clogged is the horizontal part that you can see, as it is the 'coldest' part of the passage. Running the engine with the oil at its high temperature mark will (should) make the downward passage warm enough to keep the oil/sludge liquid and flowing.

The design of the oil separator box, with its baffles, is supposed to condense the oil vapors back to a liquid form so that it can flow back to the sump. A 'cold' engine will not generate enough heat to make the oil flow quickly and sludge builds up - especially true with non-synthetic. The same thing happens with the PTC nipple at the intake.

Even with synthetic, some sludge will build up over time, it cannot be helped. No one can average 75mph over 180,000 miles, nor will people down shift to 2nd or 3rd in city traffic and only get 10mpg.

I cringed when I brought home my current 1995 850T and looked under the oil filler cap. Everything was caramelized! I don't think it was ever subjected to synthetic oil and oil changes were not part of 'regular' maintenance. It is much better now. And still cleaning.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

I suggest doing a compression test, at least for a baseline. I hope the Castrol used is synthetic (100%). For your next oil change, get a magnetic drain plug.

The brown film on top of the oil could be from short cold engine trips.

Don't wait 7000 miles for the next oil change, change the filter at 1000 and the oil/filter at 3000. You might want to have the oil analyzed at the 3000 mark.

Rice sized grains of metal are HUGE!

--
Keeping it running is better than buying new








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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

Is it possible that something got cross threaded or crush washer got shaved? Something from elsewhere dropped into the catch pan? Something that big would cause awful noise? Only way to know for sure is a tear down? Camera scoping possible? Metal found on magnetic plug or elsewhere? Compression test and all Klaus sounds good
--
Farewell 'black manta' ('97 855na 256K) Hello 'rocket sled' ('06 V70R 136K)








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Metal flakes in oil V70-XC70

"Found several shiny metal chips in the oil,..."

Can you determine if the chips are magnetic or non-magnetic?







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