Metal on oil Dip Stick

[PowertoLove]

I've noticed something strange when I check the engine oil. When I wipe it off it always leaves a small amount of dark metal dust on the paper towel. Yesterday I also found a few small specks of shiny metal on the paper towel too. This seems to always be stuck to the oil stick itself, If I wipe it off then recheck the oil there is no metal in it. Nothing noticeable in the oil itself. Anyone else ever notice this in a v6 engine? I suspect its from the timing chains wearing. 40k on the car 2014.

Oil is changed every 4k with a new filter. I've noticed this over the past 10k miles.

I ordered a magnetic drain plug as this engine doesn't have it.

[Camaro__ss]

I have not experienced this.

[Wizard1183]

Haven’t experienced this either.

What oil and filter are you using? Go with synthetic and a good filter cause obviously the filter ain’t working. Lol

Or somethings getting shredded and it’s matter of time before engine failure.

[gunchamp]

Originally Posted by Wizard1183

Haven’t experienced this either.

What oil and filter are you using? Go with synthetic and a good filter cause obviously the filter ain’t working. Lol

Or somethings getting shredded and it’s matter of time before engine failure.

This. My experience is when metal shows on the dipstick its generally not good

[Greenhornet2]

GM is known to have junk timing chains nowadays. It would make me nervous if the oil filter isn't catching it all. I would change the oil and check the oil that comes out to see if there is metal flake in there. Cut open the old oil filter and see how much metal is in there. metal flakes in the oil means you are running metal through your bearings which is not good.

[PowertoLove]

Pennzoil Platinum AC delco filter changed every 4k. I've experienced this before but not on 3.6 engine. The oil isn't glittery and looks clean but the metal collects on the dip stick. The last time I seen this was in a LS1, I noticed it every time I checked until about 135k the cam failed. It must have been slowly wearing down a lobe.

I talked to the local dealer but they say they never seen anything like this? I have apt wed morning to show them. I have a feeling its going to be a waste of time with them. Not sure what I should do with it. engine is quiet and runs good, but so did the LS1.

[PowertoLove]

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

GM is known to have junk timing chains nowadays. It would make me nervous if the oil filter isn't catching it all. I would change the oil and check the oil that comes out to see if there is metal flake in there. Cut open the old oil filter and see how much metal is in there. metal flakes in the oil means you are running metal through your bearings which is not good.

I don't think its getting past the oil filter because the oil is clean. Its just small specs and metal dust that collects on the dip stick.

[Wizard1183]

Replace your magnetic dipstick with factory and get a magnetic oil plug instead? Lol

[gtstorey]

Are you using one of these to wipe the dipstick off?

[PowertoLove]

Well I drove it another 200 miles, same thing very tiny small hair like pieces stuck to the end of the dipstick. Oil is spotless no glitter on it so its not making it past the oil filter. My best guess is timing sprocket-chain wear, nothing else could cause little hair like pieces. I just wonder why? The engine is quiet, the oil is full good oil pressure. The factory dip stick must be a little magnetic for the metal to cling to it.

[christianchevell]

In your case I would recommend a blackstone report on your oils condition ..if for nothing else to have peace of mind ….or know what may be sharting the bed and get ready to trade in...… Good Luck there oil with metallic glitters is not a good thing BTW...., I have a magnetic drain plug I bought form the dealer long ago it never shows me anything or the oil monkey I give my spendy full synth too, of course I am vested in my engine and its performance on a whole other level.....

[PowertoLove]

I found the problem and fixed it! 1st I pulled the oil filter and it was like NEW, not a spec of anything in it. I thought this makes no sense, the dip stick is covered in metal! So I went back to the dipstick cleaned it off and stuck it back into the engine. It came back out COVERED in metal pieces! I'm like WTH??????? So I took a rag and carefully stuffed it down the dip stick tube pulled it back out and seen some metal and carbon, did it until the tube was clean. I stick the dip stick back in the tube AND its coved in metal AGAIN! I am now completely dumbfounded! until I carefully examined the dip stick.

The very end on one side was cut off sharp with a edge like a FILE. It was cutting the inside of the dip stick tube all the way down and all the way back out. A huge amount of filings on the dipstick every time. I carefully used a file to smooth the very edge on the sharp side of the dip stick and WAALAA no mo metal on my dip stick! no idea how relieved I am right now Thanks for all the suggestions, I still have a magnetic plug coming that they use in racing Corvettes. It has a very powerful magnet on the end that can pick up a inch wrench.

[christianchevell]

That's unusual and would wonder why the dipstick has been messed up.....

[PowertoLove]

It was cut like this, so one edge was smooth the other sharp as a file. Poorly made for sure but who cares fixed my issue. Craziest thing I ever seen on a car truly, who would think it could cut the tube that badly.