Metal in oil pan

[Frizbal]

Well, looks like I may not have found as good a deal on my boat as I thought I had. Drained the oil today on my new to me 2007 DF300 with 700 hours and found brass colored metal shavings in the drain pan. Any ideas on what this would be? Bearings? Drives fine, no noise or anything. What would my path forward be, drive it until it starts acting up, or does it need tore into?

 

[alldodge]

Brass/copper that is bearings in most cases. I would be looking at a rebuild

 

[Frizbal]

Well that sure doesn’t make me happy. What does a rebuild on an outboard look like price-wise? I know car engines, but these are a bit more of a specialty.

This really sucks. Bought the bit a month ago and has relatively low miles for the engine!

here is a picture of the shavings. Is this an immediate need for a rebuild type of thing? Or drive, check oil again and if no more shavings I’m good kind of thing?

 

[Scott Danforth]

That motor is eating itself. It wont magically fix itself. I wouldnt buy it

Set aside about $2k for a rebuild of the motor if you decide to buy it

 

[robert graham]

Don't assume the worse....cut open oil filter to see what is in there....could be metal from machining process. I'd change the oil and filter, run a few hours and drain/recheck it again.....

 

[Frizbal]

That motor is eating itself. It wont magically fix itself. I wouldnt buy it

Set aside about $2k for a rebuild of the motor if you decide to buy it

thats the problem... I bought it a couple of months ago already. I went over the boat thoroughly before buying it, listened to the motor, had him put it in the water and drove it, etc. But it drove/drives perfectly fine without noise or rattle. So unfortunately I’m stuck with the potential rebuild.

Tou lwntioned aboit $2k for a rebuild... that’s not as bad as I would have thought. I got the boat for a good deal and would still be good on overall price put in. Are rebuilds I’m outboards common???

 

[Frizbal]

Don't assume the worse....cut open oil filter to see what is in there....could be metal from machining process. I'd change the oil and filter, run a few hours and drain/recheck it again.....

I like your optimism. I’m going to cut it open and check. I’ll report back.

 

[Frizbal]

Ok, opened up the filter and not a single spec of metal. Now I realize the flakes in my pic in my first post are too heavy and settled, but one would assume with that many that there would most definitely still be something in the filter, right??

Now I’m questioning myself whether the flakes were there before I drained the boats oil (and what vehicle I should now be looking at!)

 

[99yam40]

I am thinking those specs are gold, and have no idea where they came from

 

[alldodge]

Since your not sure your drian pan was clean before draining the oil and the filter is clean, then there may not be an issue. It might not even be in one of your other autos, might have collected from something else. Do as RG mentioned run and drain later

 

[Frizbal]

Looks like I’ll be giving that a shot. Was in the lake today. Drove beautifully and quietly. Will change in a few hours of driving and see what’s going on. Hoping the shavings came from my ‘69 VW street buggy. That’s much easier to replace parts on!!