gold flakes in filter

[GrassyFlats426]

I posted this question accidentaly in the wr section. My local mechinic told me to check for gold flakes in my oil filter when doing routine maintience he said that If I find gold flakes it means that my crank is ready to fail. Has anyone herd of this. 2001 yz426

[clutchless]

I posted this question accidentaly in the wr section. My local mechinic told me to check for gold flakes in my oil filter when doing routine maintience he said that If I find gold flakes it means that my crank is ready to fail. Has anyone herd of this. 2001 yz426

did he offer you a quote to fix it right then and there?

[grayracer513]

There isn't anything in the YZ engine that comes to mind as having a remotely gold appearance, so either he's not trustworthy, or you misheard him.

There IS going to be metal in the oil filter as long as you own the bike. For one thing, that's where they are supposed to go, so they do. For another, the engine oil lubes the transmission and the clutch, both of which shed a fair amount of metal under normal circumstances. If you use paper filters, it may seem as if there isn't much on it, but swish the filter around in a jar of clean solvent, and then let the stuff settle.

The thing to watch for is not that there is metal there, but what the metal is like, and how much there is:

> A sudden increase in the amount of metal that can't be explained by a longer oil change interval may mean a problem.

> A change in the size or shape of the material can also mean trouble. Bigger chunks than normal, or pieces that resemble bits of gear teeth, wire, or other recognizable stuff is not good. Flakes of metal that have a squarish shape usually mean a bearing is breaking up (this may be what your mechanic meant).

[matt4x4]

I was going to post on this earlier - but it was all tongue in cheeck - since I traded my gold crank for a steel one when precious metals were at an all time high...

Correct me if I'm wrong Grey but doesn't the big end bearing carrier look gold???

and if so - by the time you see gold in your oil, you'll probably see piston debris as well....

[grayracer513]

I was going to post on this earlier - but it was all tongue in cheeck - since I traded my gold crank for a steel one when precious metals were at an all time high...

There's a guy who plays the commodities well.

Correct me if I'm wrong Grey but doesn't the big end bearing carrier look gold???

The last one I looked at didn't, but you might be right.

[Kasjok]

I would suspect sand as "gold".

[GrassyFlats426]

thanks for the info I do not have gold flakes in my filter just small ammounts of clutch debris I appreciate the replys and hearing this makes me wonder about this shop

[clutchless]

thanks for the info I do not have gold flakes in my filter just small ammounts of clutch debris I appreciate the replys and hearing this makes me wonder about this shop

every mechanic has their own style. if its the orginal bottem end he is probably right in a sense, it going to go. but when is the question.

the shop is a business, he's not lieing when he says to check for signs of debris in your oil and it may be time for a new bottem end.

my bike is 1 year old and i should put a new cam chain and top end in it as well as check the valves at the very least.