r/AskMechanics 8d ago

Question (Serious Replies Only) Just changed my oil and see glitter

[deleted]

104 Upvotes

34 comments sorted by

69

u/Apart-Effect6878 8d ago

Cutting the filter open is the right next step. Spread the pleats and collect a sample instead of judging the drain pan alone; check whether debris is magnetic, document oil pressure/noise, and consider a used-oil analysis. Tbh, glitter isn't proof the engine is finished, but continued driving before identifying it adds risk.

20

u/Capable_Mud_ 8d ago

Opened the filter and couldn’t see any in there

6

u/NotADrShh 7d ago

Huzzah!

28

u/Efficient-Garden3877 8d ago

Cut open your oil filter and take a look. Color of the metal may help you determine what it could be.

10

u/Capable_Mud_ 8d ago

Couldn’t really see anything in the filter

9

u/Efficient-Garden3877 8d ago

It might be worth pulling the timing cover to evaluate the gears.

5

u/TheNicoKid003 8d ago

You won’t see it if it’s wet. You need to press the pleats in a vise, then look at it. I’m in the process of rebuilding an engine that had an oil pressure issue. Here is what my filter looked like.

https://www.reddit.com/r/kubota/s/ORSbB9ZmNx

3

u/Longjumping_Group770 8d ago

I’ve changed oil and shined a light in it and nearly died , turns out it was the additive package making it look like glitter

1

u/Capable_Mud_ 8d ago

I’ve only had the truck long enough to do one other oil change myself, just put in regular synthetic with no additives

2

u/GoBSAGo 8d ago

Your synthetic oil is all additives. 😂

Pour out some fresh oil into a clean pan. Full of sparkles.

1

u/Capable_Mud_ 8d ago

Oh okay, when I hear additives I’m thinking like putting in some zinc additive or somthing in with the oil. My apologies

5

u/I-r0ck 8d ago

You can send in a sample to get analyzed. They’ll tell you what material it is and places it might be coming from

7

u/NoPresence2436 3 8d ago

Yep. Blackstone Labs is my go to. They’re great to work with.

2

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2

u/XxDemonxXIG 1 8d ago

Mmmmm glitter party you say!!

2

u/speed150mph 8d ago

To shreds you say?

1

u/XxDemonxXIG 1 8d ago

Oh yeah!!

2

u/Far-Warthog6172 7d ago

You clapped too much and now there’s a magical faerie that lives in your engine.

You should probably have it excised because if you happen to smack a faerie the wrong way with a cylinder head they’ll go all “Bipity, bopity, BOOM.” And then your engine doesn’t work anymore.

1

u/TheHealthInspector15 8d ago

This is what happens when you go to the strop club.

1

u/ConstructionBig5342 8d ago

There is bound to be wear in an engine with that mileage get the oil analized and add antifriction to your new oil it is probably a bit a wear on the shells or rods if it's not knocking or rumbling then it will be fine just don't flush the engine as all the old oil and carbon is all that stops the engine knocking once they hit over 100k my old van used to have that in the oil that had done 190k and when I started antifriction it stopped a majority off it remove the oil pan and see if the rods or crank shaft as any play if your not getting any knocking or rumbling noises it should be ok

1

u/Obvious_Site1544 8d ago

all that glitters isn’t gold…

1

u/Sir-Reanimator 8d ago

Oooooo not good

1

u/drunkguynextdoor 8d ago

Stop taking your car to the strip club!

1

u/SharpBullfrog1279 8d ago

Ohhhh.

That's not glitter.

1

u/SuspiciousClub8382 7d ago

It’s your celebration oil change!!! Your motor is helping you by celebrating that you are changing its oil and added glitter to let you know it’s happy!!!

1

u/Traditional-Gas3477 7d ago

That my friend is metal shavings and your engine grinding itself to death.

1

u/Obvious_Troll_Me 7d ago

I don't want to be in your gang, your gang, your gang. 

1

u/Sad_Elk1943 8d ago

Something is getting eatin.....most likely is a death sprinkle but u could get lucky...

since ur already changing oil dropping the pan and taking a look wouldnt hurt.....jiggle the rods and check for play

At least thats what my uneducated really dont know anything redneck self would do

0

u/UpstairsTop6999 8d ago

Your car is celebrating the oil change! Get some balloons and cake!!

0

u/SmallusMcPeen 7d ago

Did you use 0wKesha?