Metal fingernail clippings?!

[mattatk]

G'day all,

Just inspected oil filter after an oil change & noted three small (2mm) slivers of metal, in the shape of a fingernail clipping (thin, small curved crescent). My magnet picked them out of the filter.

Has anyone seen any debris like this? I'm wondering if they ate shavings off a bearing (IMS) or possibly even part of a thread off a screw (?!). Apon closer inspection, the crescent shaped flakes are very thin & the largest has a very slight lip on its outer edge of the curve.

Thanks in advance.

Edited June 4, 2011 by mattatk

[itzbob46]

Since this could be an IMS bearing issue, I'd take these clippings to your favorite P-car aftermarket shop for their opinion. I'd stop using the car until this was resolved. Applause is in order for your investigative attitude towards your car.

[Cloudsurfer]

You need to find out what metal the flakes are, as that will tell you where they came from. I would pull the pan and see what you find down there as well.

Either way,metal that size in an engine is never good. I absolutely would not drive the car until you figure out what this is.