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aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Glitter in motor oil
Original Message   Jan 31, 2011 4:15 pm
I changed the engine oil in a Toro 421Q snowblower.  First time at 2.5 hours, then again at 5 hours, per the manual recommendation.  I noticed both times there are glitter specs in the oil.  The engine is a Loncin 163cc engine.  Is it normal to continue seeing glitter specs at the second oil change? 

My other engine is a Honda GX340 which I changed the oil a couple times since new and did not see any glitter. 
This message was modified Feb 1, 2011 by aa335
Replies: 14 - 23 of 29Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
CharlesW


Joined: Jan 9, 2011
Points: 76

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #14   Feb 1, 2011 3:50 pm
fleetfoot wrote:
Where did you find this article?  It applies at best to large fuel storage tanks or to long term storage in warm weather of ethanol and gasoline formulations.  This does not apply to OPE or automotive applications where the fuel is used daily, weekly or monthly.  If you are worried about water in your fuel I was told in the 70s to buy fuel from the busiest gas station and never to buy fuel when the gas station storage tanks are being filled.  This advice applies today as well.  The Lexus recall was due to Toyota selecting the wrong aluminum alloy tubing to use for the fuel lines.

Good advice.
I happen to feel that avoiding ethanol if at all possible is also good advice.
If it weren't for all the government subsidies and mandates, they wouldn't even be able to sell it.
Wait till the 15% blends hit the market.
 I think I have seen several posts where you support ethanol and that's certainly your right.
You believe in it, I don't.
You can use it, I won't. At least not until the government forces me to.
jrtrebor


Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #15   Feb 1, 2011 4:13 pm
I suppose that if the engine in your Toro has aluminum cyl. walls and not a steel sleeve.  That you might be seeing filings from break in.  Aluminum is also lighter in color and would be more obvious in the oil than steel.
Just a thought.
fleetfoot


Joined: Jan 23, 2011
Points: 19

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #16   Feb 1, 2011 4:23 pm
I do not support the use of ethanol.  It is not economically viable as it is currently being produced (corn based) and may never be economically viable.  I think that in many cases problems are attributed to ethanol without any data or critical thinking to support it i.e. excessive mileage reduction, small engine carburetor problems, etc.
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #17   Feb 1, 2011 5:42 pm
jrtrebor wrote:
I suppose that if the engine in your Toro has aluminum cyl. walls and not a steel sleeve.  That you might be seeing filings from break in.  Aluminum is also lighter in color and would be more obvious in the oil than steel.
Just a thought.

That might be the case.  The filings are light silver in color.
carlb


Joined: Nov 16, 2010
Points: 279

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #18   Feb 2, 2011 3:51 pm
no matter which material it is steel or aluminum it will pretty much look the same when it is that fine.  If you are concerned, and I wouldn't be at this point you can send a sample of the oil to Blackstone labs for testing and they will give you a comprehensive report and even tell you if your particular engine is showing more PPM of any of the metals then the norm for that engine.
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #19   Feb 2, 2011 8:13 pm
AA335,

I am sure the glitter coming out of your Toro is just normal and nothing to worry about.  At least you can see it.  If you have gotten 2-stroke engine, you would not have to worry about that glitter and a hassel of oil change. But then again not sure where the glitter goes.

aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #20   Feb 2, 2011 8:28 pm
Yeah, I'm not to worried about it  It does seem odd that i can still see it after second oil change.
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #21   Feb 2, 2011 8:30 pm
So are you done blowing the snow or the wind is going to give you some more work tomorrow?
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #22   Feb 2, 2011 8:42 pm
MN_Runner wrote:
So are you done blowing the snow or the wind is going to give you some more work tomorrow?

It's done. 
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: Glitter in motor oil
Reply #23   Feb 2, 2011 8:47 pm
I feel bad for my sister in law as her family lives in Naperville and they don't have a blower. 
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