Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: VisceralReaction on November 17, 2008, 11:35:10 AM

Title: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: VisceralReaction on November 17, 2008, 11:35:10 AM
So I changed the oil on the 05 ST3 this weekend.
I found 4 pinhead sized flakes of what looked to be chrome plating.
I thought the rocker issue was on older engines.
Ideas, advice?
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: CDawg on November 17, 2008, 01:23:31 PM
Quote from: VisceralReaction on November 17, 2008, 11:35:10 AM
So I changed the oil on the 05 ST3 this weekend.
I found 4 pinhead sized flakes of what looked to be chrome plating.
I thought the rocker issue was on older engines.
Ideas, advice?

Nothing new to add, but I too thought the flaking problem was limited to 916's....
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: gage on November 17, 2008, 02:13:33 PM
Flaking was not isolated to 916's but I am not sure that 4 pinhead size flakes is the end of the world.  Were these in the oil or in the filter screen? How many miles? You'll definately want to pull the cams and take a look at the rockers for signs of flaking.
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: VisceralReaction on November 17, 2008, 02:29:37 PM
Yeah i didn't think the end of the world. They were in the filter screen and I have 21K on the clock
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: jerryz on November 18, 2008, 01:10:11 AM
Rocker problem affects 916,996,998, S4 748,ST4 , it sound like one of your rockers probably an opener is going souith.
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: 2001cromo on November 18, 2008, 07:16:25 AM
Easy solution to your perceived immediate issue.

Check the next time you change your oil. If you see more/worse chrome flaking, then you have a more serious problem most likely with the rockers.

If you don't see any or very little, then there's "most likely" no problem. With the rocker flaking debacle you see it coming and it only gets worse...

You also may want to pick up LT Snyder's (http://www.desmotimes.com/) book(s) too, if you don't already have them.

IMHO- if what you saw was a few "pin head sized" things, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. But that's just me.
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: VisceralReaction on November 18, 2008, 09:35:40 AM
Thanks for the input guys, I do have LT's book on the ST. I'll keep a look out and see what I see and if
there's more flakes on the next oil change I'll do what needs doing.
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: uclabiker06 on November 18, 2008, 08:15:46 PM
Its normal IMHO.
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: jerryz on November 20, 2008, 03:12:49 AM
I replaced all 8 openers on my S4 at 6000 miles  with megacyle rockers only 5 were duds but it was easier to change all. All the closers were fine
Title: Re: chrome flakes in oil
Post by: Capo on November 20, 2008, 05:51:01 AM
All this assumes that the flakes are chrome and came from the rockers. I think Larry Kelly posted a method of determining the composition of material discovered on the oil screen.