2000 996 6 speed coupe 2 - plastic fragments in oil filter

[Philip54]

After an oil change I inspected the oil filter and found a few black fragments apparently made of plastic in it. I collected most of them on the glove that can be seen in the attached picture. This is the first time that I see these fragments in an oil flter. There was no metal in the filter. Is it possible that the fragments come from the seal of the IMS bearing that has started deteriorating? If so, how could this be confirmed without removing the bearing from the engine?

Thanks

Edited December 8, 2012 by Loren
made image viewable here

[JFP in PA]

There are several possible sources of small plastic bits, including sealant, cam tensioner paddle wear pads, seals, etc. The most common are the wear pads (black or brownish) and sealant (brown or green). There is no way to confirm the seal condition of the IMS without pulling the trans, clutch, and flywheel out and then pulling the IMS cover after locking the engine down; and at that point you may as well just replace it with the LN unit.

I would not be overly concerned about the few bits you have, this is a fairly common find during an oil change.

Edited December 8, 2012 by JFP in PA

[Philip54]

There are several possible sources of small plastic bits, including sealant, cam tensioner paddle wear pads, seals, etc. The most common are the wear pads (black or brownish) and sealant (brown or green). There is no way to confirm the seal condition of the IMS without pulling the trans, clutch, and flywheel out and then pulling the IMS cover after locking the engine down; and at that point you may as well just replace it with the LN unit.

I would not be overly concerned about the few bits you have, this is a fairly common find during an oil change.

Thanks. This is good news. I plan on replacing the IMS bearing, but I would like to do it when I get the clutch replaced.

[Joe C.]

I need to ask because my sons 2000 996 has about 30 small pieces of black and brown plastic just found at 44000 miles in the oil filter.   Car run great no noise, planning on upgrading ims very soon, but is this related to ims or those plastic rails for the chains that i read about.

 

 

thanks joe c.

[JFP in PA]

I need to ask because my sons 2000 996 has about 30 small pieces of black and brown plastic just found at 44000 miles in the oil filter.   Car run great no noise, planning on upgrading ims very soon, but is this related to ims or those plastic rails for the chains that i read about.

 

 

thanks joe c.

 

Hard to tell without actually seeing them, but as I mentioned above, the most common sources are the wear pads on the chain paddles.  As your son's car is a five chain motor, they are probably from the small wear pads between the cams on the cylinder heads, which are easier and cheaper to replace when the time comes.

 

[Joe C.]

Thanks for the reply JFP in PA,  he told me he has about 30 pieces like ones in the glove picture in this post, no bigger but mostly smaller in size and mostly brownish hard plastic.   He will post pic tonight after work.  I see from your pictures what these rails look like and where they are located.  This is certainly not something I or he can do.   This may be more important than the IMS  to do first.    Is this something that can wait a little bit or needs immediate attention.

 

Thanks Joe

[JFP in PA]

Thanks for the reply JFP in PA,  he told me he has about 30 pieces like ones in the glove picture in this post, no bigger but mostly smaller in size and mostly brownish hard plastic.   He will post pic tonight after work.  I see from your pictures what these rails look like and where they are located.  This is certainly not something I or he can do.   This may be more important than the IMS  to do first.    Is this something that can wait a little bit or needs immediate attention.

 

Thanks Joe

 

What you need to do is check the cam deviation values with the engine fully warmed up; the spec is +/- 6 degrees, if the car is outside that range it needs attention, if it is still in range it can wait a bit.  And I would not put off retrofitting the IMS.

[Joe C.]

Ok I think I should be able to view that with the durametric tool that I have,   I will then have the IMS replaced right away, and hopefully the rails can wait or is it easier to do while doing IMS.  The whole process sounds costly but it was and still is a great car.

 

Sorry for so many questions, thanks

 

Joe C.

[JFP in PA]

Ok I think I should be able to view that with the durametric tool that I have,   I will then have the IMS replaced right away, and hopefully the rails can wait or is it easier to do while doing IMS.  The whole process sounds costly but it was and still is a great car.

 

Sorry for so many questions, thanks

 

Joe C.

 

Yes, the Durametric can read cam deviation values for you.

 

The small chain paddles can be done with the engine is the car, although it is a bit fiddly to do as the cam covers have to come off.  You might want to ask the shop doing your IMS if they can put together a "packaged deal" for you to do both if it is required, as it could be more economical to address both at the same time rather than taking the car apart twice.

[mki996]

Thanks for the quick replies, JFP in PA.

 

To add a little color to the thread, here is a pic I snapped last night while digging through the filter.

 

[Joe C.]

Thank You I will do that

[mki996]

So cut open the filter and found both brown and black small pieces (pics below).  Cam deviation values will be checked within a couple weeks.  Main question I'm now contemplating is will I be able to drive the car a few times until then.

 

[JFP in PA]

So cut open the filter and found both brown and black small pieces (pics below).  Cam deviation values will be checked within a couple weeks.  Main question I'm now contemplating is will I be able to drive the car a few times until then.

 

 

If none of the specs are ferrous, you should be alright; if the cam deviation values get too far out of line, the car would code before anything happens.