metal particles in oil

[007 hatch]

Changed the oil in the wifes 07 hatchback this past weekend and when I poured the old oil back into the jug there was some very fine metal particles left in the drain pan. These particles were very fine and had it not been for the sun shining into the pan making the metal in the oil shine like a metallic paint job I probably wouldn't have noticed it all. The car has 5045 miles on it and runs like a champ. The first oil change was just short of 1000 miles and was changed with mobil1 oil and filter as was this last change.

Didn't notice these particles with the first oil change. Guess I should probably invest in one of those magnetic oil drain plugs that I saw on one of the other posts.

Is this something to be concerned with (the metal dust) or is this something that should be expected with these small 4 banger engines.

Thanks for any input.

[bugnuts]

Fine dust like metal in the oil is very common with a newer car (especially a 4 cyl.) during the break-in period, a lot of it comes from the piston rings rubbing on the cylinder walls, modern engines are made with a lot tighter tolerances than older ones and are built to run at higher temperatures. Don't skimp on the oil filter, make sure you get the best available and try not to switch around your oil brands and type too much either, and just keep an eye on the dipstick. It's more than likely nothing to worry about unless the metal starts getting bigger!

[PetersRedYaris]

A magnetic plug is always a safe play, especially on newer engines.

[PetersRedYaris]

Heres why you should use a magnetic drain plug; look at how much material the oil filter missed.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/44731de7c5.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

[mikeukrainetz]

my volvo has two of those 'rare earth magnets' in the bottom of the pan in both the engine and tranny - I cant believe how much shit was attached to those things...

[jdubau55]

Where can on buy a magnet oil plug for the Yaris??? I could prolly take some of the super powerful magnet from work and just put them on the bottom of my oil pan though...they will easily smash they snot outta your finger if you get them too close.

[mikeukrainetz]

thats whats in the pan of my volvo, nothing special, you can buy the magnetic plugs from ebay for like 5 bucks

[Lafiro]

Links please, I dont know the exact name/dont know how it looks either.

Thanks

[nsmitchell]

Just get some magnets from an old harddrive and attach them to your oil filter. When you change your filter, metal particles are kept inside the filter and viola, metal particles are gone. Reuse the magnets of course. Do this in conjunction with a drain plug magnet and you can't get any better.

[dallas]

Some of the extreme presure additives in oil are Zinc based etc, would the magnet filter out the oils extreme presure package?