Hi people, I was doing my oil change yesterday, and as far as I know the bike has always been well looked after (1992 CBR600 FN).
This is the second change it's needed since I owned her.
As I removed the old oil filter, to my horror, there were two pea sized bits of road gravel sitting in there and a small amount of grit.
I cannot understand how the hell it got in there.
Is it worth checking the air filter? It was newly installed only last year.
Any ideas?

The only other thing I could possibly think of is vandals. Other bikes have been physically vandalised in the s#it hole town I was recently living in.

Could this crap in the oil have caused serious damage?

Thank you for any help you can offer, it's very much appreciated.

 

Debris cannot get into your oil through the air intake. The only way would be if someone deliberately put it in there like the vandals you mentioned. Unless your crankcase vent is open.

Are you sure it didnt drop into the filter as you removed it? It would make sense that there would be debris and rocks on top of the filter or around the engine and they could have gotten knocked into the filter without you seeing it while you removed the filter.

Were the rocks inside the filter? or just resting on the small ports of the filter?

 

The rocks were in the middle part of the filter, I could feel them moving as I unscrewed it.
As for the crank case vent, I'm afraid I don't know, I'm still learning about the engine.
Sorry if I ask any daft questions, I'm still fairly new to bikes and mechanics in general.
How would I look for the crank case vent?
Thanks very much for your help.

 

Were there any rocks in the oil?

 

There was some grit in there

 

When you did the last oil change did you put the fliter on the ground with the packaging off?

 

i'd buy some inexpensive oil (regular rotella) and some cheap filters. run it for a few and keep changing it until you see no more grit in it.

put a dab of paint in a spot on you fill cap the covers the cap. if the paint mark gets broken, then you know someone has been in there. i think someone put something in there.

 

No Jeff, I keep everything pristine clean wherever possible. I treat my bike like a theater patient (Im a med student)

 

That's a great idea dude, I'll give it a go.
Thanks

Should the filter prevent it getting anywhere where it could cause serious harm?