Metal Flakes Found in Oil Filter

[Spinnaker]

Originally Posted by ubii

My question is, how concerned should I be by this discovery? Is this a possible indication of an impending IMS failure or something less severe? Should I drop the sump to look for any additional debris? Is it safe to drive or should I just pony up and replace the IMS, as well as the clutch and RMS, while I am at it?

I don't have a crystal ball, but from everything that I have learned on this forum, if you keep on driving it after finding metal particles in the filter, you will soon be shopping for a new/rebuilt engine.
I would think that most will tell you to contact Flat 6 Innovations, or someone else with Boxster engine expertise for their opinion ASAP.
There are only a few places in the engine that will produce metal debris, none of them are good.
If I were to guess the source, the IMS bearing or the timing chains, would be where I would put my money. Catch it early and you can save the engine. Let it go and you can upgrade to a 3.4-3.6 and have a lot of fun.

BTW, you aren't that far from Cleveland, GA.

[DenverSteve]

I would contact my dealership or mechanic and let them have a look at the pieces. Those are larger than what I would ignore. Do you have any unusual noises, sounds or concerns? If you are changing your own oil, do you always inspect the oil/filter? Ever found it before?

[ubii]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

I would contact my dealership or mechanic and let them have a look at the pieces. Those are larger than what I would ignore. Do you have any unusual noises, sounds or concerns? If you are changing your own oil, do you always inspect the oil/filter? Ever found it before?

I do have an extremely faint knocking sound at idle, which has been there since I bought the car about a year ago. My assumption was that it was lifter or injector related and I recently changed from Mobil 1 0w-40 to Castrol Syntec 5w-40 and ran some Techron through engine, which has seemed to help it quiet down a bit, but that could be my imagination. I have only done two oil changes since I bought it and the first time (about 5K miles ago), I checked the filter, but not as thoroughly as this time and did not see any metal flakes. Normally, I do all of the wrenching on my car, but I might break down and take it to a local independent Porsche shop, who happens to be a LN Engineering dealer. I guess I will call them on Monday and get an estimate on how much it will cost to install the LN IMS retrofit kit, a new clutch, and RMS. I was planning on doing this next spring anyway, but it sounds like it is not safe to wait that long. Anything else, I should look at doing at the same time?

[san rensho]

I wouldn't start the motor, but definitely pull the sump plate and see if there are any bigger pieces that you (or your mechanic) can identify.

[Mark_T]

+1 on pulling the sump cover and doing some more exploring. Post pics of what you find.

[Quickurt]

+2 on pulling the sump and NOT starting the engine.
Nothing ferrous in your filter can be good news.

[ubii]

I did not get an opportunity to pull the sump cover this weekend, but will do so in the next couple of days and take a few photos of what I find. Obviously, I will not drive or even start the car and will drive my Rover instead. I did call Bob Hindson Racing this morning, who is an LN Engineering dealer here in town, who said that they could install the IMS Retrofit kit, clutch, and RMS for $2400 (this includes all parts, fluids, and labor). These guys have been around for 40 years and are probably the most trusted shop in town. I think regardless of what I find in the sump, that I am going to do this anyway, just for piece of mind.