Anyone ever find plastic pieces in their oil pan?

[wishuwerehere82]

Right On Muleman,

If in doubt , check it out. There are only two plastic parts inside the engine, if either one of are losing pieces, disaster is on the horizon. Pulling the pan will get rid o them, and get you a good look the oil pump shaft collar. If that's still there, (and most of them are fairly brittle after a few years anyway), replace it anyway. Then go for the timing gears and chain.
A worn timing gear will cause adjustment and power problems even before it fails. I like the Cloyes double chain and steel gears I put in a few years back.

 

[Whiplash]

Right On Muleman,

If in doubt , check it out. There are only two plastic parts inside the engine, if either one of are losing pieces, disaster is on the horizon. Pulling the pan will get rid o them, and get you a good look the oil pump shaft collar. If that's still there, (and most of them are fairly brittle after a few years anyway), replace it anyway. Then go for the timing gears and chain.
A worn timing gear will cause adjustment and power problems even before it fails. I like the Cloyes double chain and steel gears I put in a few years back.

Still haven't had time to get back but I think I figured out how to post a pic. Here's what I found in the pan and oil pick up.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Whiplash,

That is some gnarly stuff!.
Although no one piece is discernable as a gear tooth, The color (brownish orange) is the color of your timing gear.
I don't think there is much left of your gear if that's what it is. From the size of the pieces, it looks like you just caught it in time.

 

[Whiplash]

Gears are fine

Whiplash,

That is some gnarly stuff!.
Although no one piece is discernable as a gear tooth, The color (brownish orange) is the color of your timing gear.
I don't think there is much left of your gear if that's what it is. From the size of the pieces, it looks like you just caught it in time.

Well just got done pulling the timing cover and checking the gears. Looks like the last owner had them replaced with steel gears. At least I know now. You would think they would have cleaned the junk out of the oil pan when they replaced the gears. You have to drop the oil pan to remove the timing cover anyway.

Oh well. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Whiplash

 

[sean82]

This could also be the umbrela seals around your valves.

As the seals get old they get brittle and break up.

Take the valve covers off, you may be able to see some pieces around the valves.