cabanalane

I did my oil change today. I noticed there's a bit of sand at the bottom oil catchment pan. It's not sludge. Rough like sand. I've done many oil changes in the past so I know what's "normal" and not normal for me to make this post. This would have scratched up the piston wall big time. BTW, did not noticed any lost in oil or oil consumption during the last few months.

In the past, what came out of the engine always been pretty clean at the bottom of the oil catchment pan. Again, not even notice anything like this time worthy for me to ask.

What's going on? The oil was changed at 20% according to the MM. I pretty much follow it or earlier, never later. 65K mile and 2009, normal mix driving. Well cared for and DIY. I used pretty much the same oil, filter, and etc. Often switch between brands, depending on what's for sale.

Did this specific oil filter "failed"? Or air filter failed? Was the OEM air box not tight enough? (don't think so). Or just drove through a dust storm?

Please help.

TIA

waaasobe

the dust storm may have been what caused the sand to get into your motor. sand blows at high speed while your moving some sand gets past the filter into the manifold and into the motor. depending on how much sand is in the motor it should make too much if a difference but, i would do a couple oil changes just to get all the sand out of the motor.

cabanalane

Yes, there has been a few "major" dust storms prior to this change. If that is the case, that's rather shocking how much sand can get into the engine with the air filter, and oil filter?

Is it worth adding another "filter" type of cover over the OEM box inlet?

Also car does not go off-road.

waaasobe

to be honest, i dont think you can do anything. but, you could try adding a thin filter from maybe a furnace just cut a piece out and place it over your own air filter. or maybe you could switch to one of those oem k&n filters the oil in those fluids will help eliminate more of the particulate present.

thats all i can think of for now. hope something works for you.

ceb

Gen an oil analysis done to figure out what the problem is. K&N air filters filter less and "adding" a filter will reduce air flow and make your car run like crap.

A "sandstorm" won't get appreciable "sand" into your engine.

thunderbt3

+1

cabanalane

I read others used Blackstone lab. Is that the "best" one? Are there others you recommend?

ceb

Blackstone is fine and the most common.

cabanalane

What about seafoam? Reading about it now. Does it help clean it out?

ceb

STOP!

Do nothing until you've gotten an oil analysis.

Professor

I think Ceb is on the mark. I have my doubts about sand unless somebody lifted the hood and poured it into the crankcase. And metal shavings at that mileage would be extremely rare.

I'm not saying what you did see was not sand or something, but the oil analysis and a hard flush would be a start.

LaCostaRacer

Is there any chance that the sand did not blow into the oil drain pan that you use for dumping oil into? If you keep it in garage, open, there's a decent chance that that pan attracted some sand from the dust in the air. I would see this as the most likely result of sand. Of coarse if your drain pan is covered, then this theory doesn't work.

I grew up in the desert and experienced how much sand can come into the house- a gap in the side garage door can let in a lot of sand. We had closed windows with piles of sand in the slide after a good dust storm.

musty hustla

You could also put ~500ul in an eppendorf and spin it down. I don't know if sand or metal looks different as a pellet however.

cabanalane

My drain pan is kept in a trash bag. But that does not mean it was completely clean. I didn't noticed. And plus it was windy during that week, now that I recall. Not sure about that specific day. And since I let that drain until there is no drop, it was left under the car for a while. So it could be the wind.... Let's hope so.

I'll dry it with the garage door closed next time, maybe (if I can stand the heat).