Will do Jake, and I appreciate you willingness to have a look at it.

I hope its not a rod bearing.

If I have to pull this engine, it will quickly become for sell. I wouldn't spend my hard earned dollars on rebuilding a motor I want to replace anyway. I think for me that money is better spent on an hv warp 11.

Here you go Jake.
pics of sump cover. Some bits of trash in center. Then a close up of the trash. again nothing magnetichttp://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1365549329.jpg

close up of trach
 

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1365549475.jpg
nothing that will stick to a magnet

sump screen
 

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1365549872.jpg

Sump screen.
Obviously someone has been in here poking around before me. they used silicone for a gasket, and quite a lot of it. I was very suprised not to see the material from the filter litter thruout.

Well I got into M96 engines because I was going to build an electric boxster :-)

silicone in the sump is not unusual.

is the pieces hard or soft? hard brownish, dark brownish is usually an indicator
of the tensioner paddles.

It's not likely your waterpump as it would have to find a way to your oil without turning into a milkshake :-)

There's a chance it could be a lifter that's managed to chew up the lifter carrier (sorry I'm not really a motor head -- so I don't know the terminology)

the lifters sit in a tray that almost looks like an egg carton.

you can always ping me at mike@lonestarrpm.com
I've got a little EV knowledge as well as M96 experience,
I'm also in the Texas hood -- down in Austin

Mike

Well because I need this motor to run reliably for another 24k miles or the next 2 years...I am going to drop the engine and go after the tensioner. I just hope I dont find anything else when I get into it. I found the guide to tensioner and cam replacement with engine in the car, but just don't see myself working in that tight of space. I plan to replace the ims bearing as well. new plugs and recommended replacements of hoses and seals. hopefully I will have it back on the road before winter. Thanks for all your input.

OK. Started work on engine today by pulling camshaft plugs and locking crank at TDC for bank 2, this is where I heard a slight ticking. As I locked at TDC I noticed aluminum shavings all over the front of the motor. This is exactly what I had in my oil filter. WTH! Has anyone seen this before? Something not rite about this... I do know the lot where I purchased the boxster replaced AC compressor, but cant see how the 2 are tied together.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1366469813.jpg