Metal Flakes Found in Oil Filter - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

san rensho · 09-08-2011, 02:25 PM

I agree with Blue on this one. Little pieces of plastic in the oil filter are fairly normal, I get them all the time.

What you are doing is the conservative thing to do, but if it were me, I'm not sure that I would dig into the engine assuming it's an imminent IMSB failure just because I found a couple of bits of ferrous metal and a couple of bits of plastic in the oil filter.

If the engine is not making any noise, the first thing I would do is check the camshaft deviation with the Durametric scanner or the Porsche factory scanner. Camshaft deviation is an early warning sign of a bad IMSB. If there is no camshaft deviation, I would monitor the engine. After 500 miles, I would take out the oil filter and see if I was still getting any ferrous metal in it. If not, I would check it again after another 500 miles. At the same time, I would again check the camshaft deviation.

ubii · 09-08-2011, 02:48 PM

The original plan was that if we did not find any obvious signs of an IMS failure, when we dropped the sump cover, that we were going to install a magnetic drain plug, new oil filter, and oil, then drive it for 500-1000 miles and see what we find next time. But between the plastic bits that were found and the fact that the car has recently started making a noticeable rattle for 2-3 seconds upon startup, the new plan is to take a look at the chain tensioner paddles and/or ramps to see if they need to be replaced or not. The car is ready for a new clutch anyway, so I am going to have them install the IMS retrofit kit, just for piece of mind.

san rensho · 09-08-2011, 03:13 PM

Rattle at start up is common in these cars, its usually worn chain tensioners making noise until they get pumped up by oil pressure. Newer tensioners have a spring that eliminates the start up rattle.

ubii · 09-09-2011, 07:14 PM

My car is still in the shop and I am hoping to get it back on Tuesday. When they dropped the sump cover, they did not find any metal debris, but did find plenty of brown plastic chunks. The chain tensioner paddles were all ate up, so they replaced them. The IMS bearing was showing signs of failure, as there was bearing debris present, when they removed it. The clutch was pretty much toast, so they replaced it as well. I decided to have them install a LN Engineering 160F low temperature thermostat and a RSS lightweight underdrive pulley. I had previously planned on installing these myself, but since they already had everything torn apart, I just had them do it. Once the last of the parts arrive on Monday, they will start working on re-installing the engine and transmission.

WhipE350 · 09-09-2011, 08:21 PM

Thanks for keeping us posted. Can you get your hands on that IMS and take pictures for us all to see, would be very curious.

Good luck, sounds like she'll be ready to drive the hell out of soon.

ubii · 09-09-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhipE350

Thanks for keeping us posted. Can you get your hands on that IMS and take pictures for us all to see, would be very curious.

Good luck, sounds like she'll be ready to drive the hell out of soon.

The mechanic has been really cool throughout this whole process and has been taking photos of the damaged items. I will take some additional photos of what is left of the IMS bearing, when I pick up the car next week. He already set everything aside for me, so I can see the damage, in person.

clickman · 09-09-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubii

When they dropped the sump cover, they did not find any metal debris, but did find plenty of brown plastic chunks.

I'd love to see some pics of the "chunks". Mine has some flakes in the filter at every oil change.

ubii · 09-10-2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickman

I'd love to see some pics of the "chunks". Mine has some flakes in the filter at every oil change.

The first two photos are of the brown plastic chunks from the damaged chain tensioner paddles, which were found in the sump cover and oil pickup. The third photo shows one of the damaged paddles, before it was replaced. It is difficult to see the extent of the damage, because the chain is still in place. I will try and take some additional photos of the old paddles and IMS bearing next week, when I pick up the car. I am eager to see just how far along the IMS bearing was and how much play it has in it.

WhipE350 · 09-10-2011, 06:51 PM

The damage is easy to see in the third photo if I'm understanding correctly. Probably would have run OK with just some rattling at start up...but I'm just guessing. It is strange how some have this and some never will, I wonder what little difference in manufacturing causing this to catch up and wear years later.