Oil filter debris, changed the oil.

[ilikeching]

Hi,
i just changed the oil today after 9000km/5500 miles, 5w-40, and found small brown hard plastic debris in the filter..
I didn't find any metal debris there, and i use magnetic oil plug, no metal parts there too....
Can someone tell me what kind of debris shown in the picture??
Thanks

[kjc2050]

Some of it (e.g., the piece in the bottom center) looks like excess sealant - and is meaningless. Others will have to comment on the other stuff. It's either sealant or fragments from the chain tensioner guides. Have you checked the cam deviation with a Durametric?

[BYprodriver]

Yeah need to get Camshaft timing deviation tested A.S.A.P. !

Material in the filter looks like the VarioCam wear pads breaking apart.

Link to the parts: Pelican Parts - Product Information: 996-105-253-00-M100

Serious engine damage if they get much worse!

Search forum for more info.

[Jamesp]

Plastic from the chain rails. If it's an 02 or earlier then it could be the variocam wear pads as well. The damage appears to be significant (failure versus wear) and may be accelerating.

[rp17]

Good advice guys. I was about to guess chain pad tensioners.

[san rensho]

I wouldn't panic too much. I've had about that amount of plastic in my filter after an oil change. It's chain guide plastic which is always shed by 986 motors. If the guides get really worn, the cam timing can get thrown off. As someone said before, check the cam deviation.

If its way off, greater than 6, then you may have a problem. Get a baseline and see if it gets worse with time, if so, then you may need to do something.

I get plastic like that all the time and the cam deviation has barely changed in the 25k miles that I have had the car.

If you are really concerned, just look at you filter in 1k miles to check for debris. Next time you change the oil, drop the sump plate and check if you have lots of plastic debris in there.

Ferrous metal is much more serious ang you have none on your mag plug, so I don't think you have much to worry about.

[heliguy]

One of them is a ruler! I would have that checked! Your mechanic may have left that in the patient.

[ilikeching]

Thanks all for reply,
it seemed to be VarioCam wear pads.
I have no trouble with the car and no suspecting noise. daily driver, mostly city driving.
As i search the forum, Jake Raby mentioned "easy driving"
http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/51235-camshaft-deviation-analysis.html
I don't have durametic, so i will find a Indy shop and get it checked...
and will check the oil filter later...