Alfa Romeo Forum banner

Found Metal on Dipstick

2K views 18 replies 8 participants last post by  JON156VELOCE 
#1 ·
Hi everyone,
I checked the oil in my 159 3.2 this morning and found that small chunk of metal on the dipstick! Does anyone know what it might be? The car has done 88000km and the oil and filter were replaced around 3000km ago (my mechanic used a mercedes filter could this be the issue?)
937186
 
See less See more
1
#2 ·
That could be from anywhere to be honest...could be a bit of casting flash that's been floating around the engine since build....could be a piece of white metal from a bearing cap....hopefully bot the latter!....or any one of multiple possibilities Two choices really....leaving it, pray and hope nothing breaks....or drop the sump and see if any of its friends are lurking in there! I would prob just be driving it with the stereo off for a few weeks and watching the oil level /pressure like a hawk to listen for potential issues.
 
#3 ·
I would also question why the garage fitted a Mercedes oil filter?

The 3.2 V6 engine fitted to your 159 isn't an Alfa Romeo engine. It's a GM/Holden lump assembled in Australia. As such any appropriate filter used for the Holden V6 should be good for this engine.
 
#5 ·
Well it could mean two things. Either a vague piece of material moving about and just depositing itself on the dipstick, or the engine has serious problems and is on the road to ruin.

Either way it's not an engine I would go anywhere near, with its notorious reputation for stretched timing chains and crap pedigree.
 
#7 ·
I would follow alfaitalia's suggestion of dropping the sump - if there's no pieces in there it will put your mind at ease and a sump clean is a good move anyway. You could fine sieve the oil and re use it if it is fairly fresh. Using a merc filter would not be the issue - if it fits it will do the job.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Regardless of whether it does the job, it makes no sense to fit a non-specified oil filter to the engine. The filter will be widely available for this Holden V6 and the fact the garage fitted a Mercedes filter would indicate laziness or even ignorance.

It is always best practice to fit the correct filter to any engine.
 
#9 ·
I would drain the oil and check to see if there is metal in the oil. It is a lot easier than dropping the sump.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spider95
#12 ·
It might be the correct filter...when you look in an aftermarket parts catalogue the same filter could fit a wide variety of makes and models.....there are many more different cars than there are different oil filters.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top