A mechanic emptied the oil pan and couldn’t believe what he found.
In the video, which has over 209,000 views as of this writing, creator @ubareddition couldn’t believe the amount of glitter released during an oil change.
“This is so sparkly.”
In a Facebook Reel, the mechanic noticed something shiny from the oil pan and was impressed that the car arrived at the auto shop.
In this episode of “It Led Here.” You’ve already seen the brilliance,” the mechanic begins.
The mechanic shows oil already dripping from the pan. The oil contains flakes of gold luster mixed with the brown oil.
“Okay, here we go,” the mechanic says as he unscrews the drain plug. “Oh yeah. This is so shiny. Man. This would actually be a really cool paint color,” he said as the oil spilled.
The mechanic put his hand in the oil to show how sparkling it was.
“Look at my hands. Look how shiny and shiny they are,” he shares.
To investigate further, he inserted his finger inside the oil pan. His finger comes out covered in gold glitter.
“Oh yeah. Yeah,” he concludes.
What makes oil sparkle?
Although glitter may be beautiful, it’s a big red flag. As many commenters have pointed out, seeing glitter in your oil means the engine is on its last legs and a major rebuild is coming.
“Shine in motor oil typically indicates metal shavings or particles floating in the lubricant, which are typically caused by internal engine damage or wear,” according to Motor Oil Magazine.
The luster comes from the pistons, bearings, or cam shifts.
According to Motor Oil Magazine, there are four reasons why this happens:
- Metal Wear Particles: Over time, natural wear will occur in the engine along with the pistons, camshafts and bearings. These microscopic pieces will rub these car parts and mix with the oil causing the shine to appear.
- Contaminated oils or additives: Although rare, some aftermarket oils may contain metallic components that can be the cause of shine.
- Fuel or coolant contamination: Coolant leaking into the engine can cause a shiny appearance due to a blown head gasket.
- Contaminants from manufacturing or repairs: During maintenance, tarnish can find its way into the oil. This can occur from assembly debris, gasket material, or the use of aftermarket parts.
How do you prevent your oil from shining?
Maintaining your vehicle is essential to keeping your engine running properly. Although wear and tear is inevitable, there are things that can be done to extend the life of the engine.
First, change the oil regularly, or every 5,000-7,500 miles for most engines. AAA Reports. Use a high-quality oil suitable for your car. And monitor oil levels, as running with low oil increases wear.
Pay attention to any warning signs from your vehicle, such as unusual noises, overheating, or warning lights, and address them immediately.
Shiny oil is bad for your wallet
Many people who commented on the post brought jokes.
“I’d be tempted to dig for gold in that,” one wrote.
“It’s identified as a transmission, not an engine,” another joked.
“Who detonated the glitter bomb inside the crank case?” One added.
Other viewers added notes about the color of the oil.
“Copper seems anti-seizure,” someone commented.
Another replied: “I thought someone put metallic paint in it for the oil.”
A third added: “You see a sparkle…your wallet starts crying.”
Many have answered someone’s question about why oil shines.
“The shiny flakes are metal shavings from worn parts in the engine. Not good, especially since the oil filter is probably holding a ton more,” one answered.
Another added: “It’s likely that the culprit is worn out motor bearings, but sometimes other parts have worn out to a level where they are worn out. This is the equivalent of stage 4 lung cancer.”
A third replied: “Shine oil is bad. You’re getting bits from your engine and grinding them up. It’s basically a death sentence and you better be prepared for a new car or new engine.”
Engine1 He contacted ubareddition via direct message on Facebook and TikTok. This story will be updated if he answers.
