metal shavings?????

[superclyde]

Hey all. I am new to 6x6's and recently purchased a 94 max II, B&S 16hp. I am using the winter months to do PM on all my atv's, as I always do. The max that I bought was used for duck hunting and was called to duty about once a year. The previous owner stated that "it always fired up when season came", so I can assume that maintenance was minimal. So I have been going over it top to bottom prior to riding season. The motor is strong, everything is functioning, I have no complaints. So far it has only needed basic maintenance and adjustments.

However, as I have been going over the engine, I have notices metal shavings in the rear of the tub, generally around the engine. I don't think that they are related to the engine but possibly originating from around that area.

Important to note: the shavings are fine almost like a dust, I didn't even notice them until I was using my flood light for extra light and they appear to be brass or bronze???

Any idea of what this could be? Obviously something is wearing and needs attention, but i dont know where it is coming from.

Thanks, and I would just like to say that this site has been a tremendous resource as I have ventured into the world of 6x6 from the world of 4x4ing.

[Amphiman1]

Try using a magnet on them... might be chain particles or bearings?
or t20 parts?

[Mike]

Hi Clyde, welcome to the site. It would be hard to guess where the shavings were coming from. It could be chain/sprocket wear, bearing / bushing wear, shavings from the starter, etc. There are a lot of metal on metal areas. I don't know that I would start to worry just yet. Sorry I'm not more help but maybe someone else will chime in soon.

[superclyde]

Yeah, I'll try that. They may even be copper from looking at the color. I thought maybe neglected bushings, but not familiar with the machine enough to know what has bushings and what has bearings. Maybe its just foreign debris. Stumped.

[superclyde]

Not too worried about it right now, I'll hit all of the grease zerks and see how it goes. It just caught my eye while working on it. No abnormal noises while driving either.

[atvrider93]

check all of your oil and change it

[Eldon]

That vintage of a Max had bushings at the end of the axles instead of bearings,I believe.I assume they would be made out of brass,maybe copper but probably brass this would account for the color.Bushings will always have some filings by them check the bushings for wear.Just my 2 cents. :-)

[brushcutter]

Where around the motor are they most heavily concentrated? Look for shiny areas on and around the engine, clutch, and axles -fresh or "new" looking areas should be investigated closely.When it is running do you hear any rubbing, squealing, or clatering if so check to see where it is coming from, and just so we all remember WEAR YOUR SAFETY GLASSES while working on a running machine especially in cases when trying to find where METAL PIECES (no matter how small) are FLYING from.It ain't no fun going to the E-room at 1:00 am to have it magneticly (if you are "lucky") pulled from the eyes.

[Raleigh Trainer]

The rear of the tub is where a lot of sediment ends up deposited as water drains from the holes in the back, regardless of where it comes from. So, those shavings could have come from anywhere in the entire machine.

I'd clean the inside of the tub really well, drive it dry for a while, open it up and see if you have any more shavings anywhere.

[Roger S]

I was going to say bronze bushing on the cvt clutches, but the inner axle bushings sounds better.

Metal in the eyes.. I did some metal wall framing construction, got a particle in my eye. Co worker used a magnetic bit holder and clean phillips bit off his drill to lift it out