Z28_1991_Camaro

I had a baby in Oct 2020 so I was really busy and I can't remember for sure but I don't think I did an oil change at all last year. I don't think I drove my car more than once or twice last summer so it's not like it was getting used often. I was still starting it every few weeks most of the year but for the past several months it's been sitting and hasn't even been started. I did an oil change this afternoon and when I was checking the oil level I noticed what appeared to be small pieces of rust in the oil. This is the first time I've ever seen that so I'm not sure if I should be concerned about it.
Normally, I do an oil change annually in the spring and I only use synthetic oil with either the k&n or mobile 1 oil filters. I don't drive my car a lot, mostly just the odd weekend when running errands. Should I just let all of this get collected in the oil filter and not worry about it or should I do something about this, and if so, what do you recommend?
When I checked the oil level after the engine had been running for a few mins the oil was clear again so it seems as though the oil filter collected it.

Komet

I'd go ahead and change the oil now to be safe. You can cut open the oil filter to get a better idea of what you were seeing in the oil. Make sure it was rust, not bearing material, etc.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Probably just a small amount of surface rust that developed somewhere inside while it sat and starting it knocked it loose, I wouldn't worry about it. I'd take it for a few drives a couple days in a row and then change it again. When you change it you can see what you find in the filter, if anything.

Kingtal0n

Take a picture of it

Spread it out over a clean white absorbant paper towel so we can see it clearly, how fine it is, how small

'rust' can be just a color (very fine metallic particulate) or it can be large chunks

Gots say, I've never heard of this before, not like this exactly. Makes me think you are seeing a part deteriorate from the engine. But what could possibly come apart and rust in an engine crankcase full of oil?? Makes me worry that water somehow got inside there.... I HAVE seen plenty of rust in engines that get wet inside

LiquidBlue

if I had to guess, most likely place would be under the intake, the valley between both cylinder banks. oil drains off this area. yet, there should still be a film of oil, especially if you started it a time or two during its long sit. if it was me, I'd grab some really cheap oil, drain and refill with the cheap stuff. run car, check on oil condition, and if rust gone, drain and refill with the good stuff.

vorteciroc

Has the Engine Coolant Level gone down at all?

Z28_1991_Camaro

Thanks for all of the suggestions.
It's going to be a few weeks at the earliest before I'll get a chance to do another oil change. When I do I'll report back here.

I'm not saying for sure because obviously I don't know, but I can't see any way water would have got in the engine. The car has been in my garage the entire time. And the coolant level seems to be where it's always at

BOOT77

I had an engine that sat with a rust line on the crankshaft for the part of the counterweight that wasn't submerged, wasn't used/seasoned enough to have a film coating everything. Other engines I've let sit for years w/o issue.

Still if there is rust in the oil, I'd make sure it's at least not the valvesprings. One of the things I'd be concerned bout most if they got rusty and I've seen it before on an engine that sat(none of mine).

Had a brand new crate engine rust up in my garage in only a few months, while a low mile hard used engine sits on a stand a few feet away w/o an intake for over a decade and no rust.