decided to cut open my oil filter too

[schoir]

Originally Posted by JTP

Changed the oil today and cut open the filter. 50k miles On engine and 5k since the last oil change.

I found little bits, 1-2mm in size, of hard brown glassy particles on the filter along with a few specks of bright red bits. No metal shavings but there was one piece of tan soft rubber, like a portion of a rubber diaphragm. Very soft and stretchy.

Are the brown pieces from the chain tensioners and is it "Normal" to find them on your filter? I probably had one or two pieces on every other pleat.

JTP:

I don't want to alarm you, but I would rather err on the side of caution.

I'm not sure about the origin of that piece of "tan soft rubber, like a portion of a rubber diaphragm", but you should investigate whether that piece of material might possibly be part of the rubber seal on one side or the other on the IMS bearing.

Regards, Maurice.