Swarf in the oil

[T0MMY]

Just gave the bike a service and was a little concerned to find swarf in the oil. Is ANY swarf bad and is my engine fecked or is a little bit ok
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Knacker]

What the funk is swarf ?

If your talking about Stuff that looks like salad creme its just emulsified oil and a good 50 mile run will clear that out
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[stinkwheel]

This the CBR?

You mean metal swarf yeah? Big bits or dusty bits floating on top of the oil? Alloy or steel (do they stick to a magnet)?

In my experience metal filings in the oil have often come from the clutch area. It would be my first thing to check if you are worried.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[T0MMY]

Fairly big bits, have to check with a magnet later.

The clutch basket(?) rattles a bit so maybe this is the source?
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[stinkwheel]

[stinkwheel]

[hellkat]

I thought swarf was, like, bits of stuff, grit or whatever?
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[hellkat]

Ah, but I see that the wondrous Stinkwheel has explained whilst I have been gossiping about torque with Summercamp/Doro.

Thought thats what it was. I kind of meant that, too. But that photo of the curly things is a good description (or is that Samuel L Jackson's hair?)

Serves me right for having too many windows open
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[yen_powell]

[ThoughtContro...]

[doggone]

It's not impossible suchlike stuff has been in there for ages and just recently dislodged & circulated around to the filter or bottom of the sump.
Unless there's identifiable bits like bearing parts I wouldn't be unduly worried.

[Finglonga]

Can't believe folks don't know what swarf is.

[MaybeGuy]

[Pete.]

What colour is the swarf? If it's anything but shiney then that's bad. If it's bronzey colours (I don't mean oil-staining) then that's bad. If it's like little tiny grey biscuit-crumbs - bad again.

If it's little tiny silver flakes or curls then it's probably left over from the manufacturing process. Not so bad but they shouldn't be there.

Best thing as always is to post a pic.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[hellkat]

[Finglonga]

[Knacker]

Nope im not an engineer and i do apologise for my lack of knoledge-ness
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[Pete.]

And spelling
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[T0MMY]

[Pete.]

Crank bearing damage would give little golden-bronze specks in the oil or 'silver paint' floating on the surface. Have you checked behind the clutch cover to see if there are bits missing off the basket?
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[T0MMY]

No not yet Quick flick through the Haynes manual makes it look pretty simple though. Not sure this could cause the vibration though (other than the rumbling felt with the clutch out)?
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Billy Balthorpe]

How old is the bike? How many miles has it done? If its new, it could be your engine knocking all the lumps off itself left over from manufacturing, but i would only expect this after the 1st 1000 miles or so.
Rumbling from the clutch when ticking over that dissapears when the clutch is pulled in is either the basket or the bearing, alloy swarf is usually the basket, steel is usually the bearing.

Visible swarf in the oil after the first 1000 miles is never a good sign.
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.

[T0MMY]

The bike is only 3 years away from being old enough to ride a moped and has done 32,000 miles. No spring chicken but not astronomical, but their is a lot of engine vibration which I have been unable to find the cause for.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[ratboy]

Probably best to change the oil and filters. Use a flushing oil like Asda own brand to clear out any swarf still in, then keep checking it for any new stuff. If there's none in then it could hopefully be remnants from previous damage or even bedding in which have been sat. Either way it needs clearing out so it doesn't block oil-ways.

[Billy Balthorpe]

I've used Diesel as flushing oil before. The only problem was that the oil was so clean after i did it you couldnt see the level on the dipstick.
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M.O.B. Successfully taking the piss since 2014.