Name these metal bits (aka, how worried should I be?) - Ducati.ms

greggers · Jan 8th, 2012, 9:07 pm

Decided to change the oil on my new (to me) Sport 1000 today. The oil didn't look too dirty in the sight but I wanted to know for sure that it was good stuff in there. When I took the drain plug out, there was a small amount of shavings/gunk on the magnet, which I was expecting, but then there were also 3 small metal chunks which I'm not so sure about. Two of them are about 4mm long and the other is about 2mm, all measuring about 1mm in the other directions. They all have small grooves running long ways on one face. It looks like all the pieces came from the same thing. I tried to take a picture as best I could, they are pretty small and I don't have a great camera right now.

Hoping one of you gurus can ID what they might be.

Side note, anyone have any tips for getting the oil filter off without buying some expensive specific tool? I got a K&N one to swap on so after this change I'll hopefully be able to make due with a socket, so I'd rather not spend $20 or $30 on a tool I'll just use this once. I was hoping to use one of those rubber strapped tools for loosening pipes which I already have, but there was no good way to get leverage, at least without removing the entire header, so I just left the filter that's on there in place for now.

sportbob · Jan 8th, 2012, 9:27 pm

Disturbing to be sure. they look like gear teeth but I couldn't say from where exactly. As to the the filter, the tool is $10-$15 from Pro Italia and the OE filters aren't expensive either. Especially considering you'll only use 1 or 2 a year. The K&N has that "nut" sticking down another inch just begging for a rock! One mans opinion.........

erichan8757 · Jan 8th, 2012, 11:17 pm

some cheaper strap wrench is about 7 bucks.

or just get the biggest groove joint plier and destroy the old filter

oil filter plier is handy but if you are using k&n from now on , you'd only need that tool once. which is a waste but certainly good to have.

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Duccout · Jan 9th, 2012, 12:08 am

Are those pieces straight or curved?

greggers · Jan 9th, 2012, 12:26 am

They look pretty straight on all sides

mikedsilva · Jan 9th, 2012, 5:39 am

on another bike, I remember piercing the filter with an old screwdriver and using that to unscrew it....

As for the metal bits, think of how much weight you are saving..

Did you happen to remove the oil screen too??

CU3RVO · Jan 9th, 2012, 7:12 am

They do look like teeth from a gear.... Hmm, I would recommend getting it checked... I would crap myself if I saw those teeth in my drain plug...

greggers · Jan 9th, 2012, 9:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikedsilva

Did you happen to remove the oil screen too??

No I didn't but maybe I should have? As I understand it you need a deep socket to pull the cover on that without damaging the sensor, and it has another crush washer to refresh, neither of which I had so I left it alone.

Wiskey Tango Foxtrot OVER · Jan 9th, 2012, 9:55 am

Is the starter working well ? they look to me like the spraig gear bits ?

greggers · Jan 9th, 2012, 10:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiskey Tango Foxtrot OVER

Is the starter working well ? they look to me like the spraig gear bits ?

I haven't noticed any issues with starting, it usually takes a few (2-4 depending on how cold it is out) "cycles" before the engine starts, but never any failures.