7.4 MPI Metal in Oil/Filter

[Dumb_Boater]

New to me 1999 270 Searay with a 7.4 mpi. I found tiny metal shavings in the oil and larger ones in the filter, but there is no knocking at idle or start up. Possibly a faint knock at 2000 rpm. Oil pressure at 2000 rpm on mechanical guage is 25 psi. Engine was run a couple hours low on oil because I measured it on the trailer - should have done it in the water. Wondering if I should put fresh oil in and run it 10 hours and see if it's still shedding metal or tear it down. I sent a sample to Blackstone.

 

[northern]

Are the particle magnetic. If yes probably piston walls. If not magnetic bearings. Low oil pressure at 2000 RPM indicates something is probably worn out. You have two choices run it until it fails or fix the problem before it fails.
How many hours on engine. I had an oil cooler fail on one of our 7.4. Oil pressure dropped to 10PSI Shut engine off added oil and continued on as we were in 4 foot waves. To get low oil pressure engine was down 3 or 4 quarts.

 

[El Capitan]

No bueno. Compression and leak down tests to start. Oil analysis for chits and grins too. Then you’ll know.