Debris in the oil
 

Hi

Changing the oil on my 97 . 2,5 986 i Decided to remove the sump pan too.
The engine have received new oil and filter for every year the last 3 years ( as long as I have owned it)
it has done 155.000 km and runs strong without any wrong noises / exhaust color


only concern is that when I start it after it has been standing for a week ore more it tends to be a little noisy for app 3-5 sec. after this everything is normal. When it is hot there is nothing.( i expect the chain tensioners to leak down?)

The oil looked fine but I found a little plastic debris on the Sump plate ( it is not magnetic)
it looks like there are two kinds .
A hard braunish type and a black type which i can squeeze into smaller pieces with my nails.

I have attached a couple of photos.
Any ideas on what this is and should I start loosing sleep:confused:

It did not look like the pan had been off before, ( same kind of dry dirt as on the rest of the engine..)

BR
Bartholhttp://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1476628050.jpg

IMO, it looks like pieces of chain tensioners and or sealant. Check your engine for cam deviations? Though that doesn't look like enough debris to throw a chain.

M96.20 Camshaft M96.21/22 Driving Mechanism M96.23/24
Look at 9,19,30,33

I have a few of these bits in the oil filter at each change. Deviation specs are still very good.
Not worried...........Yet!

Well I just did my oil change and dropped the sump.
Found just a few tiny black pieces that look like gasket material from the sump, just like yours... No metal. Your brown pieces are the tensionner ramps.
I have the same issue after more than 24 hours of being a queen in the garage... A little noisy then smooth after 3-5 sec. I'm considering replacing my hydraulic tensionner units this winter.

The plastic pads start out being a yellowish color when new. With heat cycling and dirty oil they become dark brown. By then they become brittle. The chains wear grooves in the brittle pads(the debris you are finding) and when the pad disintegrates - so does your engine -because the tensioner cannot accommodate the slack in the chain and the aluminum base on steel chain combo is rather destructive.
If you get to the pads before they disintegrate, you will probably break them when you try to gently remove them.Yes, they are that brittle and fragile.By contrast the new replacement pads snap on/off easily.
The timing of the pad replacement really depends on how well you understand the risk of needing a replacement engine....
There are a few 'while you are in there' jobs to consider also.
Wayne/Pelican have a good write-up.