metal flakes in tranny oil

Howdy,
I just changed the tranny oil in my 96 1.0 5 speed manual. When I drained the old oil into a container, I noticed that metal flakes were in the bottom of the plastic catch bowl I used to drain the oil into. (only recovered 2.0 qts) On the drain plug there was grey scum (i.e.metal flakes encased in sludge) clinging to the magnet inside the plug. Is this a cause for concern? My car has 88k miles on it. When I drained the oil it was almost like new. I refilled it with Super Tech 80W-90 2.5 qts.

Also, what is your opinion on additives such as Z-MAX, Prolong, Slick 50, etc, in the engine, tranny, and gas tank?

Thanks

Your 2nd gear synchro won't last 15,000 miles using 80w90 oil. I would switch to a 75w90 for better oil flow to the synchros. I wouldn't worry about the metal flakes. A certain amount of wear is always in-evitable in a manual tranny. Just change the oil every 30k to keep the oil clean.

For most of the additives you listed, (this is my opinion) they contain PTFE or what everyone knows as teflon. Since teflon has many slick friction reducing benefits the PTFE should be great right? Almost all of it ends up in the oil filter. For the last category, (again only my opinion) Redline SI-1 Synthetic Fuel System (injector) cleaner is well worth the price, it does not boost the octane (another joke like spitting in the wind) it does however remove gummy and varnish buildup in the throttle body. I dunno how the 'Zuki dude feels about this but he has an incredible amount of knowledge for one so young and living in the great white north!

yea, Teflon is a very bad idea to put in your engine. It builds up like plaque in your arteries. Sooner or later, you'll notice a nasty valve tick that won't go away. That's your engine head starving for oil, then *SNAP* there goes the neighborhood. If you're looking for a good additive, try Engine Restore. Do it no more than once a year. Fuel injection cleaner is always a good idea. If you go to your local Valvoline dealer, they do what's called a 3 step injection cleaning for $60. They tae off your air intake, scrub clean your throttle body with cleaner and a cotton swab. Then, they let your engine suck in a cleaner through the vacuum lines that removes varnish, carbon buildup on your valves and rings, and oil in the intake manifold. Your car smokes like hell while it's sucking this stuff in :) Then, they add fuel injector cleaner to it. I've done it to all my cars. Works better than any engine treatment you can buy. I got more power, better idle, signifigant gas mileage impoevment, and easier starting. Should be done every 36k to keep it clean, and it also blows some of the carbon out of your exhaust and cat.
Oh, and thanks for the props Mik :smokin:

Yup, PTFE is just about worthless as an oil additive. Unless moving parts are metal to metal, PTFE remains in suspension (assuming that you don't have an oil filter) and are only part of an oil film between moving parts. If PTFE will delay damage against metal to metal contact, the price you paid would only amount to one or two minutes before the engine blows-up anyway! A long time ago when Teflon was the rage, there was a commercial demonstrating an engine running for three minutes (before it seized) after the oil was drained out of the engine. PTFE was given credit for those three minutes. My impression?...Big deal! I don't run my engine with the oil drained out, do you? Everybody with a new product has a gimic. I even used PTFE in an old airplane engine years ago to see if it made any difference....it didn't.

Is there a recommended brand name of SAE 75W-90 for the tranny? Planning on changing the oil next week. The fill plug looks like about a 25mm size? Haven't looked at the drain plug yet. Are there gaskets on each that should be changed before replacing the plugs?

no gaskets on the plugs, I just had mine out for a clutch replacement. I have used Redline synthetic MTL (manual Transmission Lube since I bought the car without getting into the parrafin .VS Synthetic debate any major brand should be fine as long as you change it every 30k or so. I think Geo Zuki 'Dude uses Valvoline in his (at least before the G/F wrapped it into ball) I hear Pennzoil is O.K. but they are more than likely all the same until you look at Synthetics Hope this helps!