Coppery shiny particles in engine oil?

[ChazMan]

'03 6.0L Escalade with 80,000 miles.
I just did oil change yesterday and I noticed some coppery color shiny particles (very fine powder like), on the bottom of the drain bucket as I was pouring old oil into anther jug. I would say about a 1/4 teaspoonful of them. Maybe some bearing material like main bearing? I bought the Esc with 74000 miles and this was the 2nd oil change since. I didn't see anything like that on the 1st change at 77000 miles.

Is this a common thing/problem on this engine?
Should I ditch this Esc before it gets worse?

 

[07Burb]

Is the motor making any noises or acting in anyway abnormally?

 

[ChazMan]

No, the engine doesn't make any noise or act anything unusal. I've done lots of engine oil change on lots of different types of vehicles like boats, quads, bikes, even on my Bobcat tractor but this was the first time I ever saw that kind and that amount of shiny fine metal particles. It's so fine that I could barely feel between my fingers. And I am pretty sure the drain bucket was clean before I used it. I will drive another tank of fuel (which will be really quick!) and drain the oil and see what I find. But if you have any guess or input, let me know. Also, I will send out the old oil (I saved some) to a chemical spectrum lab and have them analyze it ($ per test). I just don't feel easy about the particles. Right now a hybrid SUV looks really tempting.

 

[blueflamed03]

copper is bearings...not good.

 

[chip]

copper is bearings...not good.

+1

 

[07Burb]

I'd be getting that checked out asap. If you sell it, that is fine but I'd be as up front as possible with the potential buyer as to the issue that way they don't get surprised. At least that's how I've always sold my vehicles in the past so that they couldn't come back to me saying that I didn't tell them about some issue that wasn't already there...

First step, though, is to get it diagnosed to find out the real issue and how much $$$ it'll cost to fix.

 

[greenhornet]

Copper in the oil means the bearings have worn through the first layer and it is going to get expensive,oil pressure will drop or the bearing may spin in the rod or mainbearing which really suck big time.

 

[ILLEGAL REGAL]

options

rebuild/reman
sell
price a motor swap with another used motor
or find a shop and have them slap new bearings in

5.3's you can find all day complete with decent miles for under $800, I'd look into a motor swap or new bearings as the cheapest route

 

[andrew383]

Sounds like bearing material...
Change the oil again and see what comes out..Also cut the filter open and see whats inside...
FWIW i always have shiny/flakes in my catch can....Ill get a pic of whats in my can..

 

[07Burb]

options

rebuild/reman
sell
price a motor swap with another used motor
or find a shop and have them slap new bearings in

5.3's you can find all day complete with decent miles for under $800, I'd look into a motor swap or new bearings as the cheapest route

putting a 5.3 in place of a 6.0 would be hard for me to swallow personally. I don't like to go down in performance and could kill any resale he'd have in his Escalade in the future! Just my 2 cents....

 

[ILLEGAL REGAL]

I dont think anyone would notice a power difference except maybe the 5.3 being more powerful considering it has the "good" heads. And the 5.3/6.0 are the same crank/rods, its just a bore size difference


6.0 truck motors bring good money, the 5.3 is cheap... just looking at the cheapest way out

 

[07Burb]

 

[blueflamed03]

used 5.3, low miles, $800
used 6.0, low miles, $1500 ish or less.

 

[andrew383]

If you do wanna go this route i have a running 5.3 out of my 07 silverado classic ill straight trade you for the 6oh

I dont think anyone would notice a power difference except maybe the 5.3 being more powerful considering it has the "good" heads. And the 5.3/6.0 are the same crank/rods, its just a bore size difference


6.0 truck motors bring good money, the 5.3 is cheap... just looking at the cheapest way out

Really??? I think anybody would notice 50hp and 55tq.....

 

[07Burb]

I'm liking andrew's thinking!!!!

 

[ChazMan]

If you sell it, that is fine but I'd be as up front as possible with the potential buyer as to the issue that way they don't get surprised.

Of course.
I would NOT sell w/o telling the buyer. If I give a surprise to the buyer like that I may even find a bigger suprise later one day with the buyer standing in front of my door with a shotgun in his hand!

A good news is that (I just remembered) I still have 25000 miles/2.5 years left on my aftermarket powertrain warranty (by Mercury Ins) that is accepted by any authorized Caddilac dealer nationwide. I paid $1500 for that warranty last year when I bought the Esc. I hoped I would not have to use it but I think I will. Well, I guess I will even out on that cost!

If it happens to be the main bearing or rod bearings on the rank journal, I wonder which would be cheaper, replace bad bearings or swap out the motor (used 6.0L) from the insurance/dealer point of view? Is any auto mechanic out there who has some insight to this?

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[ILLEGAL REGAL]

I'd call the warranty company to inquire about buying their warranty and ask them what happens in a situation like you're having.. anonymous. If its a repair I'd check with the service center and see if they can make it go through for a replacement(new crate motor)

 

[07Burb]

New crate motor would be the score of the century!!!