This weekend I changed the oil for the first time without any problems. But, I have to ask if the following is normal: I started our MCS up Sunday Morning to warm the oil and it made THAT noise. I let it run a bit, shut it off and changed the oil. As I was pouring the oil from the drain pan into a plastic jug I saw METAL SHAVINGS about 1/4" long! I don't know if this is normal or what but it looked pretty scary! The oil was darker and didn't smell bad but I've never found metal shavings in oil before. There were also some in the filter. Is this just normal first oil change stuff or something more serious with these engines? Hopefully, it's just a jest I came up with on 4/1.

 

I'd worry. But a little racket as the oil fills the engine galleys and all the nooks and crannies while it comes to pressure in normal. This should be seconds, not longer.

Matt

 

Yes, that's bad. I would take the shavings and car to the dealer pronto.

 

That's why I say change your oil about 1k to 1200 miles. If he had waited until 12k - 15k he may have destroyed the engine. Yes I know it's under warranty but who wants to deal with replacing an engine.

 

I'd run that oil through a fine screen, or filter of some kind, and take the shavings to the Service Advisor at your dealer. See what they have to say about it.

 

Yea, keep those shavings and have the oil analyzed by one of those firms. That is definitely not normal, coming from the drain plug.

 

that's scary! i have that noise, but no shavings in the oil. as others said previously, i'd save them, photograph it, and take it to the dealer asap.

 

Certainly discuss this with your MINI dealership (for piece of mind). However, I've seen (in the multiple oil change threads) that people have encountered these shavings on the first oil change but not on subsequent oil changes. Underlining the importance of changing the oil shortly after break-in.

 

Those shavings are from break in. It is normal and personally I would not really worry about them. Your filter will catch all the particles that are small enough to flow through your oil passages and if there are larger pieces, which in your case there are, then they will stay in you pan stuck to your oil drain plug. Oil plugs on new cars are magnetic and they will hold those shavings in the bottom of your pan.

 

That may be true, but my oil filter did not show any significent particles in it after the first oil change and my drained oil did not have any shavings in it after I filtered if through a rag. The only other thing I could think of is if those were left in the engine after machineing during manufacture. BTY Mini does not put magnetic drain plugs in the Cooper, why I dont know. I now have one in mine. For your info it is M14x1.5-- 20mm long with 11mm of threads. head is 22mm dia.

 

April Fool's?

 

Like i stated before any one that waits for 10 or 12 thousand miles to do an oil change and worst, if it is the first oil change must evaluate this method, there is no way unless your car is lease, or you don't care about your investment, but let me tell you i have so far invested close to $38,000 in my and when i did my first oil change my jaw drooped the oil was like ink with water consistency even so the factory claims they use full synthetic, something i cannot dispute because aim not there, but for me an engine that holds almost 5 quart of oil and uses a tiny filter i will chance the oil no more than 5,000 miles with Mobil 1 5/30.............

 

I understand the idea behind a magnetic drain plug, but aren't a lot of the MINI engine and parts alloys of non-ferrous materials?

 

so nothing from the block, or the pistons, but from the crank the con rods and the cam. Probably the oil pump gears too. Maybe a few other parts as well.

Matt

 

dude....take a photo of the shavings and post it here for us to see.

 

I have to agree with PistWalrus on this one. There are normal shavings from a new engine and the break in period.

It is smart to change the oil and filter after the first 1000 miles.

Not sure about the nasty start up clatter. That is something I would take up with the dealer.