This is pertaining to new vehicles with only a few hundred miles on them. I've heard that it is always best to drop the oil pan and clean the metal shavings out after few hundred miles on newer vehicles. The metal shavings are due to the motor "breaking in". The dealership said that this was not necessary now, but was a good idea in the past. Is this something I should still do?

Also, I've heard of people putting old speaker magnets on the bottom of the oil pan to draw all the metal shavings to the bottom and keep them there. The idea sounds sensible actually, but does it really work and is it a good idea?

 

It seems to me that the metal shavings should no longer be a problem but look at it this way... it wont hurt to try the magnet thing...

 

I don't think you need to drop the pan. I changed my oil and filter at about 900 miles on my 2004 Hemi Ram. That is probably not necessary, but old ways die hard. It sure won't hurt anything. I will do regular oil changes every 3-5K miles here on out.
My .02
MGK

 

I've never heard of metal shavings from the engine breaking in.

 

You should not have metal shavings during break-in. The best way I can describe it is metal particles similar to cooking flour will be in your crankcase from engine break-in but no shavings. Even after the first oil change, your engine will wear-in for at least 10,000 miles. Just change the oil, and skip the magnet. If this was a real issue, Dodge would specify that you have have your pan removed (1st oil change) for warranty issues.

 

I didn't think so.

 

Drain it. Why should you not have metal shavings? They quit making engines out of metal? Of course you will have filings in the pan.

 

When I think of shavings, I think of the pieces like this. http://timf.anansi-web.com/cycles/im...t/filings3.jpg

If you had chunks this big, your engine would fail.

During break-in, their is an elevated level of metal found in your oil but, only in Parts Per million, not large filings or shavings that will cause total destruction of your engine. Engines are designed with bearings to reduce friction. The most metal to metal contact in an engine comes from the piston rings rubbing against the cylinders. This contact does not produce shavings, but it produces microscopic "metal flour".

Metal filings are the same as metal shavings in my book.

Your oil filter filters out any pieces larger than 20 microns. The smaller pieces come out during the time you drain your oil.

 

Maybe this is the answer! Magnetic oil filters.

The Bear Trap

Magna-Guard Magnetic Oil Filter

 

Before you waste any money, read this: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...c;f=6;t=000022