Found this in the Oil Filter

[Spinnaker]

I never personally found out where the green bits came from, but another forum member had the same thing happen to his car and contacted me a year ago. They pulled the sump and found the remnants of one of the spark plug tube o-rings in the sump. They are the right color and texture for the bits in the oil filter. If one falls off for any reason, it would get eventually get caught up in the valve train and get ground up, ending up in the sump. Pull the sump plate and see if you find anything. There might be larger pieces caught in the oil pump screen.
Since you probably just did an oil change, use a clean container to drain the oil into and you can just pour it back in afterwards. Be sure to pour it through a screen to catch any green bits.

[dghii]

How would an o-ring get past the spark plug and into the head?

[Jake Raby]

These particles come from the inside of the vario-cam chain adjuster. These are the main seals and when they fail this occurs prior to other symptoms, to include CEL.

You must dissect the adjuster to find this seal, which means cutting it apart. Thats why few people know where it comes from.

[DaveBBOXSTER]

I have this too after doing oil change seems it costly and terminal for my M96 engine?







Engine runs great and no warning lights but does have a RMS (8 year old) leak

[tonythetiger]

DaveBBoxster - From my research and experience on this forum, its from the vario-cam adjuster, not sure what it takes to fix that or if its terminal. I would seek the advice of an engine surgeon.
The brownish particles are from the chain rail guides of the vario-cam system. A few are normal, I had some in my oil a couple of changes ago and havent seen any since.

[Homeoboxter]

If it`s the O-ring from the adjuster, it`s not servicable, at least not on mine, I just cut one apart. But that`s a 2.5 5-chain motor, as I said in your other thread. I agrree with Tony about the brown plastic chips, they are coming from the rails. That needs attention too. In my car, those rails completely wore off, broke apart, the chain damaged the adjuster and the broken pieces caused the timing to jump.