The wrath of bits in oil!

[77SudTi]

Just after some advice here, I have recently rebuilt my 1.7L 8V motor, as most of you will know. I have changed the oil recently, (at 400kms and again at 2500kms, just like to be sure!)

Before the rebuild it was throwing small pieces of aluminium into the oil, so that after decantering the old sump oil into a can, small flecks of metal were left in the drain pan, original bearings were not scored or damaged in any particular way.

The engine was stripped from top to bottom and had the crank and conrods blueprinted, before were just standard and were out of tolerance, so thats all fixed up. Heads rebuilt, cams checked, new hydraulic lifters, new oil pump etc, the works a new engine basically. All parts were checked meticulously and no real signs of bad wear causing the aluminium flecks were spotted, however the oil pump was suspected, so was renewed.

Now to my question, are the flecks a normal sign of engine wear? Am I just seeing the flecks due to more frequent oil changes that would otherwise be covered up by filthy black oil?

Also the engine purrs perfectly, makes no odd noises like piston slap at start up etc.

The oil Im using was 15W40, but I swapped to a thicker oil 20W50 at the weekend to see if it makes a difference. technically I should have always used 20W50 oil.

Any ideas would be appreciated...I dont want to pull the engine down as I dont know if I'll find the cause, should I just get on with life?

Cheers, Josh.

[keith_h]

Probably nothing to be concerned about given that its "flecks" and not great big lumps. I expect there will be less material in the oil at the next change. You did change the filter with the last two oil changes??

[77SudTi]

If the oil goes the filter goes...always (always use 33/sud specific Technocar filters (Italian made)). I guess my concern is that the rebuild didn't stop what Im seeing in the oil, but did however fix a lot of other issues. I have been seeing the flecks for some time now, and each oil change its about the same, perhaps it will diminish as whatever it is will wear itself in, hopefully without destroying something.

[keith_h]

I thought you would but had to ask. I'll ask my bil the mechanic about this.

[77SudTi]

Cheers, that'd be good, another opinion always helps. I asked my mechanic, and he just said theres nothing left for you to do...just keep an eye out. "You cant afford to keep stripping it down" were his words...For all i know its normal for this engine...who knows...