Bronze Glitter in Engine Oil

Take a good closeup of an oil sample on a dark background and post it.

Have you introduced any types of copper based lubricants to any of the threads, plugs or fasteners in your oil circulation system?

There is a reason metallic residue/powder is in your oil. There is metal on metal friction somewhere inside that is creating the "residue".
You can keep running it, but it may end up being a lot more expensive when whatever bushing or bearing decides it is time to fail.
 
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Oil test might answer the question. Cam bushings are Bronze, oil pump is brass. One item that was not recognized is the bearing separator in the super blend main bearings, Bronze Glitter in Engine OilBrass I think
 
Fast Eddie said:
Easy in my opinion.

One oil change with a bit of colour in it certainly wouldn’t be enough to persuade me to strip it.

I’d flush it, change the oil, fit a filter, and monitor the situation.

As said already, if it were a race bike, or a Comnoz cross country bike, I might think again. But if it’s a sunny Sunday and club run classic, I’d be tempted to hold my fire at the moment.

Our OP wouldn’t be the first to be tricked by bubbles in the oil either.

Only MHO.
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😎🏁

I stand by my original post.
Oil test.


But, I see your point, some engines are prohibited from soiling the sheets, on Sunday, or any sunny day.
If it's a trailer queen, no reason to worry about the engine running.
🍺🤣
 
Foreign particles floating about in the oil are doing your engine no good no matter what. If it was me, the lump would come out, as much as with a Commando that is a PIA. However, just get on with it. BUT when you pull the engine down, move slowly and
scope everything out as you are seaching for 1. what has gone wrong and 2. why it has done so.
Maybe you can just pull the top end and see what you can see...likely not much but then the remaining engine is easier to get out anyway.
 
I supposed running an oil filter may actually mask detection of glitter in sump and tank draining process. Ignorance is bliss, eh?
 
Fast Eddie said:
Our OP wouldn’t be the first to be tricked by bubbles in the oil either.
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Not offering opinion here, just observation:
I ran the P11 (an unknown quantity to me, recently acquired at auction) to warm then drain all fluids.
Primary case came out like brown gravy, gearbox like yellow custard!!
Following day, both having stood awhile, primary clear red (ATF?), gear oil clear, clean and green!
Just sayin'
 
Tornado said:
I supposed running an oil filter may actually mask detection of glitter in sump and tank draining process. Ignorance is bliss, eh?
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With the Commando the oil filter is in the return line, so any oil collected in the sump is unfiltered until it its half way back to the tank.
 
kommando said:
With the Commando the oil filter is in the return line, so any oil collected in the sump is unfiltered until it its half way back to the tank.
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Yes. But there will be a lot less accumulated in the unfiltered sump as it is continually replaced with filtered oil while running.
 
Tornado said:
Yes. But there will be a lot less accumulated in the unfiltered sump as it is continually replaced with filtered oil while running.
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Yes but that’s how every Norton with a filter works.

So, if your bike is running well, no excessive noises, and oil from the sump is not contaminated, I think it’s fair to call that an OK bike !
 
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Well maybe someone dropped a wedding ring in during rebuild....you never know those sparkles may pay for another overhaul! :)
 
ILLF8ED said:
OK Blackstone gives an elemental anaylisis, then what? OP already said gold colored sparkle.
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Failing rod bearings can totally destroy an engine (see my previous post, #9) and it would give pertinent information that would help make the decision to take the engine out of service, or continue riding it on sunny Sundays.
 
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From what I read the engine oil is usually clear and clean after emptying the sump and then one day the gold glitter arrives.
For me this is a major change that would warrant engine removal and full strip down.
Not a big or difficult job.
 
Before falling victim to the gloom and doom advice and tearing into the motor, take the timing cover off, pull the oil pump, disassemble the oil pump and see if that bronze plate is badly worn.

If any of the rotating mass bearings or bushes were worn enough your motor would be making noises you have not heard in the past. The one Norton I have had for 50 years can make noises one would never tolerate in a modern engine and still continue to run without breakdown. Norton engines don't blow up that easily unless pushed beyond the grocery getter limits a lot, or assembled and maintained poorly.

You don't happen to have JSM lifters in that motor do you? If so, you may see some fool's gold in the used engine oil from time to time.
 
I do hope you have found the problem as often the first shock brings the dilemma. Without going into it too much you yourself are the best judge and you are going down the right road, I wish you all the luck and professionell help you need.
 
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