Metal flakes and carbon pieces in oil at last oil change (50k miles)

[bbtelluride37]

Hi Everyone,

I have only owned my 2020 Telluride EX since March. It was a certified pre-owned vehicle that was leased and maintained through the same dealer. They performed the first oil change it needed under my ownership for free. I am going to handle them or have my local mechanic handle them from here on out.

As far as I know standard dino oil or synthetic blend oil was used (not synthetic) and "regular intervals". I am switching to full synthetic oil.

3700 miles after my dealer changed the oil and I performed my own oil change, I found the oil had a golden metallic sparkle to it. Fresh oil change catch can, so no contamination. There were also some small black granules that looked like hardened carbon. When I removed the oil filter housing I noticed the same glistening golden sparkles.

Not TONS or shavings. but more than I've encountered on any oil change before. Is this normal? the answer is NO right? not at 50k miles.

My Telluride seems to run fine, smooth and quiet. I'm concerned but the question is how concerned? Normally I'd say I'm just going to monitor this and wait to see what happens....but I'm about to do about a 4k mile road trip. When I get back from my trip, assuming it lasts, do you think I could have a KIA dealer analyze my oil?

 

[byscott]

You could certainly send a sample of your oil to an oil analysis company like Blackstone. They will tell you if there are metal particles in your oil and and what concentration.

The caveat here is that, absent a baseline set of results from a “healthy” engine, you don’t really know what’s normal and what isn’t. That said, if you can see particles in your used oil, an analysis might not be a bad idea.

 

[TheNip73]

You could certainly send a sample of your oil to an oil analysis company like Blackstone. They will tell you if there are metal particles in your oil and and what concentration.

The caveat here is that, absent a baseline set of results from a “healthy” engine, you don’t really know what’s normal and what isn’t. That said, if you can see particles in your used oil, an analysis might not be a bad idea.

I can probably offer up a baseline - 25 k miles on Pennzoil Platnium and engine is performing great with minimal wear metals.

 

[BK42]

You could certainly send a sample of your oil to an oil analysis company like Blackstone. They will tell you if there are metal particles in your oil and and what concentration.

The caveat here is that, absent a baseline set of results from a “healthy” engine, you don’t really know what’s normal and what isn’t. That said, if you can see particles in your used oil, an analysis might not be a bad idea.

Highly recommend sending a sample from the next oil change to Blackstone. Regardless of what they find you'll have a baseline.

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[beato1]

Fresh oil change catch can

??

 

[bbtelluride37]

??

I get what he was saying.....yes it was freshly cleaned.

as an update for all:

I drove to TX and back to NY with my family. ~5k miles. 92 hours in the car. Telluride performed perfectly.

I got home, bought fresh synthetic oil and filters and a brand new oil catch pan......and changed the oil. The oil looked MUCH better than the previous oil change. Did I still find some metal flakes? yes to be honest, I did but I felt much better about it than last time. I am going to stick to synthetic oil and not go over my own 5k interval....I think the previous owner did not use synthetic oil and likely did not always change it on time. Hopefully with good maintenance I can make up for it and it will serve me well.

Thanks.

 

[Pappy]

Thanks for keeping us updated, it sounds like your ride is in good hands. The follow-up by members on this board is one of the things I love about this community.
That must have been a nice road trip. I recently took a short trip upstate from NYC and my family found the Telluride very comfortable for road trips. Nothing beats the trunk space of a minivan but my kids are older now and we much more enjoy the interior space in all three rows. Cheers!

 

[ganseg]

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum has even lower volatility than Platinum. One of the best oils you can put in a direct injection engine.

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[ganseg]

Any updates on you engine/oil condition?