Thread: Metal in oil

Well, I am buggered. Its one of those twilight zone things. Is not part of the timing gear assembley or the hard facing on the camshaft (although looking at it I am betting this is what it was or is). When my TA gets home from work I wil hand rotate the motor to ensure it is not any of the cam lobes, but can not see anything that remotely looks fatigued or damaged. All looks remarkabelly in good nick, even excellent nick. I am betting as advised in a rply to this post that a cam may have been replaced under warranty by the previous owner and this bit has been floating around in the sump for some time as it is a 2000 model.
As said have ruled out bottom end bearings as piece is very magnetic and everything there seems good, no marks, rattles or noise. Not thrust washers.
Does not appear to be cam or timing gear, but still have to rotate to be sure. Nothing else it can be except for old rubbish.
Rather spend the time having a look than have it go bang in the bush.

Wasted days I could have been fishing or making chilli sauce though.

Originally Posted by Tank

CraigE, can you see the camshaft lobes from underneath, (never had a look myself).
If you can check the camshaft lobes, get someone to rotate the engine for you, sounds to me like part of your camshaft, or the cam followers, hope I'm wrong, thanks for the feedback, Regards Frank.

Frank,
Just ripped off the rocker cover and cam is clearly visible. Can not see any damage but will rotate engine by hand and check when TA gets home. Cam followers were ok. Good thing is basically with a few bits removed you can see most of the engine. A snake camera would be great for checking bores and gudgeon pins. If it is the cam I would be happy to find it before it does fail anyway, easy repair if found before destroying the engine.
Thanks for the advice.
Craig

Originally Posted by CraigE

Frank,
Just ripped off the rocker cover and cam is clearly visible. Can not see any damage but will rotate engine by hand and check when TA gets home. Cam followers were ok. Good thing is basically with a few bits removed you can see most of the engine. A snake camera would be great for checking bores and gudgeon pins. If it is the cam I would be happy to find it before it does fail anyway, easy repair if found before destroying the engine.
Thanks for the advice.
Craig

Craig, can you take a pic of the piece of metal and post it, I've never worked on a TD5 motor before, are they OHC, if not do they have the same "roller" cam followers as the 2.25D, if so could be part of the roller, carefully check the rocker arms for any parts broken off, Regards Frank.

Well I think it is good news. Have inspected everything and just about everywhere it could have come from and nothing worn or broken, no pieces missing. Rotated cam and followers 360 deg plus and no damage. The closest match I can find to it is the cam. I would say the cam has been replaced at some stage and may be residue from that job. Talked to a few mechs who said while it should not happen, debris gets left in engines often and can sit nicely on a lip or ledge for years before coming out the sump. All back together and runing sweet as. Engine internals are in great condition, all still like new with only minimal wearon the cam and followers.
Took some pics but quality was crap so have not posted.
2 days wasted I could have been fishing.
Anyway thanks to my TA (Mel), probablly have just saved over a grand in labour for a thorough inspection, may haveto get her a bottle of wine tommorow.
Thanks to all for the advice, most valuable.