Went ahead and did another oil change yesterday. On my last change I fitted a magnetic sump plug from scoobyparts,

http://www.scoobyparts.com/acatalog/...SUMP_PLUG.html

On removing the plug I found a small build up of tiny metal flakes. There were no large pieces of metal only tiny flakes.

Probably only done about 500miles since last change but it's been 4 months so did a mini service anyway.
Should I be as concerned as I am ??

 

Not sure what the metal would be, the bearing material isn't magnetic and the block is alloy so obviously isn't magnetic either so personally never saw the point of magnetic oil sump plugs.

 

Not a good sign as above have you any scrapping noises

 

I fitted one of these & although I know shell material is non magnetic I hot paranoid when I found a bit of metal on mine. Turned out it was thread material & harmless. If you save material & show it to a Subaru engine builder they will tell you what it is & advise you what best to do.

 

Didn't save any of the material, it was just very small pieces of metal flakes.

No unusual noises and engines sounds/drives as well as ever.

 

Have you had a recent rebuild? At tha moment I can only think of the cams or thread material as a possible source. I'd drive it steady for now & drop the oil again in a few days to see if there's any more material, if there is save it in some selotape & get it analized by a Subaru engine builder.

 

Completely normal Matt,you have to remember the camshafts and crank are metal and do wear ever so slightly which puts an almost metal dust into the oil which is the reason for magnetic sump plugs mate.
Don't put another minutes thought to it fella

 

Cheers lads.
Just spoke to the chap who does most of my major work and he also said its completely fine.

 

Tis normal, metal internals will always produce swarf. The idea of magnetic sump plug is to collect this so it's not floating round the engine. Bit pointless if they were really necessary they would be fitted at the factory!!

 

I thought factory sump plugs were not magnetic apart from the gearbox one. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Sorry just re read your post! Doh, note to self read properly before posting!