How much metal is acceptable in the oil filter at an oil change? After a "learning experience" with another engine earlier this year, I am now much more rigorous about checking the filter at each oil change.
Picture below. Not a very good one, but it gives an idea of the number of metal flakes I see. It doesn't look like much metal, but there is some visible. This is from a 3.5L race engine with about 10 total hours, 3 hours on this oil and filter. The filter element is from a Canton canister style filter that is placed in the scavenge side of the oil system before the tank and cooler, so theoretically should catch anything coming out of the engine. Is this amount of metal OK? Or should I ideally see NO metal at oil changes after several hours of track use in a race engine?
Thanks.
Scott
