Junk found in oil pan

Dan Stryffeler · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 06:48 AM

I changed the oil in my car last weekend before putting it away for the winter (sigh...) But when I inspected the drain plug, there was a shard of metal attached to it.

It is .035" thick and about 3/8" long. I put it against our gauges here at work and it would appear to have an inside radius of about 5/16". It will stick to a magnet (I have a magnetic drain plug).

I've been concerned recently after reading some of the forums regarding oil temp... I installed a oil radiator a couple years ago and have never seen the oil get above 130 degrees. So I'm really concerned about sludge, (I will disconnect the radiator over the winter).

I have a couple images in my gallery and will try to get them into my post.

Should I be tearing down the motor??? Help!!!

Thanks,

Dan

computerworks · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 06:50 AM

...gave a little help

Dan Stryffeler · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 06:54 AM

Ron,

Mucho Thanks - been awhile since I've posted pic's

Also wondering if I should take the old oil filter to a machine shop and have them cut it open and inspect it.

- Dan

casaleenie · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 07:07 AM

Dan,

Remember that my car is for sale

(other than that smart ars remark I have nothing to offer)

vettestr · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 07:17 AM

Dan I would check the filter but you do not need to take it somewhere other than ease factor. The skin of filter is thin and easy to cut, a hacksaw to about anything you may have will work. Just be carefull not to add a Doctors visit for stiches. Cut it at top near face of threaded end and not the bottom for best results.
A machine shop may be good source to help identify pieces you found.

Tommy · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 07:18 AM

Dan -
An alternative to pulling and inspecting the motor is to have an oil sample analyzed for metal content. My local auto repair shop offers that service. If that piece was isolated and there is nothing out of the ordinary in the oil analysis, I'd just keep driving it. If the analysis shows anything out of the ordinary, the chemical content may indicate what components are likely sources.

Clois Harlan · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 08:22 AM

Dan,

Cut your filter open and pull all the pleates apart and check for other debris. Pay close attention to the bottom of your oil filter where it is epoxied to the base. Those metal chards look like they may have came from your valve guides or valve train. If you find anything else in your filter such as brass, aluminium or copper let us know.

Clois

Dan Stryffeler · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 08:50 AM

I think we found the culprit... looks like it is the center tang from a valve stem seal. I won't know for sure until we pull the valve covers, but breathing easier now (photo of new seal below).

Jeff, I thought about the hacksaw option, but I figured it would just put a bunch of filings into the filter. The engine shop has a kind of oversized can opener that should do the trick... will have him analize the oil also.

Thanks for all the quick feedback - appreciate it!

(Al, if I only had the bucks and more garage space... )

Wayne Maybury · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 08:54 AM

Assuming Clois is correct and that piece came from the valve train, I would suggest pulling off the valve covers to see if there is any other stuff up there that did not manage to work it's way down to the oil pan. It may or may not narrow down your search for the source of this piece of metal but it is very easy to do.

Wayne

Jerry Clayton · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 09:43 AM

Check the oil pressure relief valve spring for a broken/missing the spring has an inside radius of about 5/16

a valve seal fits around a 3/8 stem and will be nearer 1/2 in size and they aren't .035 thick

Jerry

Dan Stryffeler · #11 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 12:06 PM

Thanks Jerry,

I will be pulling off the valve covers this weekend to take a look. We laid the broken part on top of the new valve stem seal, (pictured above), and its pretty much a perfect fit. The steel retaining band is .035" thick... I estimated the radius by laying the broken part on a series of gauge pins until I found a pretty good fit, but who knows what that little piece of shrapnel has been through, so it might have gotten flattened out a little bit.

If I don't see a mashed valve stem seal, I continue to look at the valvetrain and the spring that you mentioned.

Thanks!

Dan

vettestr · #12 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 06:28 AM

[quote=Dan Stryffeler]
Jeff, I thought about the hacksaw option, but I figured it would just put a bunch of filings into the filter. The engine shop has a kind of oversized can opener that should do the trick... will have him Analise the oil also.

Thanks for all the quick feedback - appreciate it!

Dan,
Sounds like you have a probable fix and direction so life is good. In terms of the CAN OPENER for the filter I do agree they are best. In the future a hint for your bag of tricks is "grease her up". Anytime you need to control chips or metal fragments you can do two things that are pretty easy n cheap too.
Too control the chips from a hacksaw or a thread tap etc.. apply wheel bearing grease to part and tool you are using. A second/backup is to tape hose of shop vac close to the offending area and just go slow and easy. On the filter turn it as needed but it works. I do agree the other tool is easier but if not willing to wait go for the grease

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