Metal shavings in transmission pan... How much is too much??

[WArunner7710]

Title says it all..... During my : http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/126248-massive-maintenance-weekend.html
I found some metal shavings on the magnets in the pan, and a few super-mini pieces in the intake-side of the filter.... my question is how much is normal and how much should throw a huge red flag in my face!?!?


-Tyler

 

[oltombon]

Shavings on the magnet are normal. That's what the magnet's for - to keep the shavings out of the moving parts. A deposit of fine shavings is normal wear and tear. Large shearings would obviously throw a red flag.

 

[WArunner7710]

How large is large?

 

[Drcoffee]

So you did drop the pan? You have a barrage of posts and its tough keeping track of what you are doing.

That's why the magnets are in the pan. so long as the bits aren't flowing through the tranny you will be fine. I alway install a MAGNEFINE filter on my vehicles. It catches what the magnets dont before it can get back to the oil pan.

Magnefine filter video

Here's a thread I posted on the transmission flush for my Sienna. It's the same procedure on the truck as well.

diy-transmission-flush-08-sienna-xle

When you do a drain and fill you only change out 33% of the fluid. If you do it a second time after the initial dilution you have only changed out a total 55% of the old fluid.

The flush is so easy and takes not much more time than a drain and fill. I see no reason not to do a flush every 50,000 miles. When you consider the cost of a transmission, what's $50-$100 in fluid every four years in the big picture. You know, if you have only ever done drain and fills, you still have some of the original factory installed fluid in the transmission that may have 150,000+ miles on it. It doesn't get refreshed or renewed. It just makes the new fluid less efficient.

 

[oltombon]

How large is large?

The size of a fingernail clipping is large. Anything finer than that is normal.


Dr. Coffee makes good points to heed, as well.

 

[WArunner7710]

Thanks a lot. They were nice small filings. I reckon I'll be doing the full flush this afternoon.