metal in oil filter

[928]

I changed my oil this morning on my 2010 335i xdrive with 45,000 kms on it. The car runs great and I've never had to top up the oil between changes. It had been 7,654 kilometers (a little less than 5,000 miles) since my last oil change. I always inspect the filter. In the past, on changes with even more kms, I've only seen maybe one or two small flecks of metal, if any. Today I saw many on one side of the filter (can't recall if it was the outside or inside, but I think it was the outside). Below is a pic of one small section to illustrate. I put a magnet to some of the bits and they stuck to the magnet. The only difference with this oil change is that I switched from the factory 5w30 to Mobil 1 0w40 (on the approved list of oils). Could this be from the use of M1 0W40? I'm sending a sample to Blackstone for analysis, but would like to know from the gurus here how to interpret this and how I should proceed (e.g., change oil and filter again at a shorter interval for re-inspection, do a leakdown test and scope).

[Mannyf540]

Wow interesting!! This is the second time (e90 post) that someone finds shavings like that in a 335 using Mobile 1 0-40.

Grant they also had a bad boost cylinoid.

[928]

Wow interesting!! This is the second time (e90 post) that someone finds shavings like that in a 335 using Mobile 1 0-40.

Grant they also had a bad boost cylinoid.

Can you please point me to the thread of which you speak?

Anybody else have any thoughts about the amount of metal in the filter and it's characteristics (e.g., are they considered small pieces?).

[Mannyf540]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1144084

[928]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1144084

Thanks.

[Pyewacket69]

There are sooooo many variables at play in the referenced "other vehicle" having particles in its oil that I doubt there's any significant correlation between the 2 vehicles.

Tons of N52 and N54 owners use Mobil 1 of that weight and grade without any oil particulate issues at all... Of course, their engines have probably been less stressed than the one referenced above...

Could it be the oil?

Sure, it might be, but very doubtful.

[928]

And my car would be the exact opposite of the "stressed" example, with no mods and never driven hard.

[Pyewacket69]

And my car would be the exact opposite of the "stressed" example, with no mods and never driven hard.

IMO, you may indeed have a lubrication issue, but I highly doubt it's due to the lubricant quality, if Mobil is that lubricant...

[928]

IMO, you may indeed have a lubrication issue, but I highly doubt it's due to the lubricant quality, if Mobil is that lubricant...

So, what are the possible reasons for the lubrication problem on the n54? Are there any known issues with this engine in this regard?

[Pyewacket69]

So, what are the possible reasons for the lubrication problem on the n54? Are there any known issues with this engine in this regard?

I'm not aware of any widespread issues in the N54 along these lines.

[d21spike]

So, what are the possible reasons for the lubrication problem on the n54? Are there any known issues with this engine in this regard?

Cam ledge issues have been creeping up, aside from that not too sure
(Intake, I don't believe exhaust is serviceable but may be wrong)

INFO: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207508
INFO2: http://www.germanboost.com/showthrea...t-BEWARE!-quot
DIY: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=973045

[928]

Interesting links, thanks! Is there a spec for acceptable leakdown on the n54?

[928]

bump

[928]

Figured I’d give a long-term update to this in case anyone ever searches for M1 0w40 issues with these cars. Seven years later with now 96,000 kms and I’ve been using M1 0w40 ever since my original post in this thread and never again have I seen more than a spec of metal in the filter and usually nothing at all. Still doesn’t burn any oil between changes.