Porsche vehicles are a testament to top-notch driving dynamics, enhanced performance, and precision engineering. On the other hand, these are very sensitive and have very low tolerance to damage.
That’s why when an oil change reveals metal shavings in the engine oil, it raises serious red flags and should be checked into carefully. Engine oil flows through the engine, lubricating moving parts, dissipating heat, and washing away contaminants. In a properly functioning engine, the oil shows very little to no evidence of metal shaving. Thus, visible metal shavings are a serious indication of internal engine damage.
Here are the types of metal shavings found in the engine oil and what they indicate;
- Fine dust or glitter-like metal shavings indicate accelerated wear of the bearings of the crankshaft, connecting rod, or camshaft. These are concerning and indicate the early stage of a component malfunction.
- Metal shavings in the size of small flakes or grains indicate advanced wear of rod bearings that pose a serious risk of engine damage in the near future.
- Larger chunks of metal in the engine oil are the most alarming instances, which could be caused by severe damage, such as broken piston rings, a spalled cam follower, a disintegrating timing chain guide, or even a failed turbocharger.
- The magnetic orientation of the metal shavings helps in isolating the source of the issue. If the shavings are magnetic, then the wear could be from crankshafts, camshafts, lifters, or gears, which are made up of steel. On the other hand, non-magnetic shavings indicate that the wear could be from bearings, thrust washers, or block/piston wear, which is made up of aluminum, brass, or copper.
Cause of Metal Shavings in Engine Oil
Bearing Wear
Metal shavings are formed due to excessive friction between metal components. Various causes of this friction are;
- Insufficient Oil level causes improper lubrication, resulting in bearing wear.
- Old oil that is way past its change schedule loses its lubricating properties due to continuous exposure to heat and friction. This lack of lubrication causes the metals to wear rapidly.
- A high level of RPMs due to frequent aggressive driving also accelerates the bearing wear.
Camshaft and Lifter Wear
Components in the valvetrain, such as the camshaft and lifter, often experience excessive friction and, as a result, shed metal shavings into the engine oil.
Piston and Cylinder Wall Wear
This is also known as Bore scoring. Pistons, when moving at high speed, cause the burning of fuel and generate energy in the vehicle’s engine. Piston walls and piston cylinders require constant lubrication due to their function. If the oil coating the compounds loses its lubrication, or there is a lack of oil in the chamber, the pistons grind the wall excessively, causing the shedding of metal shavings into the oil.
Metal Chain Wear
Modern Porsches, which contain metal chains instead of belts, exhibit the wear of the chains. Here, also, the lack of lubrication is the main factor behind the shedding of metal.
Effect of Metal Shavings in Engine Oil
The metal shavings are not amorphous, but abrasive compounds that act like sandpaper. These cause havoc wherever they travel with the engine oil.
- The metal shavings grind with sophisticated and crucial engine components, accelerating wear and damage.
- Metal shavings of larger sizes clog crucial passages where the oil passes through, thus intensifying the issue of a lack of lubrication.
- Increased concentration of metal shavings damages the oil pump, as the pump is calibrated to pump only oil.
Steps Recommended after Finding Metal Shavings in Engine Oil
After finding metal shavings in the engine oil, do not take it out for a drive. Contact a Porsche specialist for a complete diagnosis and repair.
- The oil is analyzed to identify the type of shavings and their concentration, which helps in isolating and identifying the origin of the damage.
- In some cases, a borescope is inserted into the spark plug to obtain a visual view of the engine internals.
- The oil filter is inspected for damage, which could give further information about the type of damage.
- In severe cases, the engine is disassembled to locate and repair the damage.
- If the damage is found to be localized and limited to a single component then the damaged component is replaced.
- In cases of severe damage, the engine must be replaced entirely.
Where to Go When You Find Metal Shavings in Porsche’s Engine Oil
If you find metal shavings in your Porsche’s 
engine oil during an oil change, come to Bridgewater’s premier European auto repair shop, Motor Cars International. We house ASE-certified technicians who are equipped with factory-grade tools and have years of experience working exclusively with European auto models. Operating from Bridgewater, we also provide services to auto owners in surrounding cities, including Brockton, Cape Cod, East Bridgewater, Easton, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Norton, Raynham, Sharon, and West Bridgewater.
* Porsche 911 Turbo S Car image credit goes to: Brandon Woyshnis.