Bits in oil = looming engine death?

Defcon5

Defcon5

Defcon5

Soldato
Joined
4 Sep 2005
Posts
6,424
Location
Whitwood, West Yorks
Was checking the oil in the other halfs 106, and there was a 'bit' on the dipstick. I wiped it and dipped it again a few times, then out came another bit. Only found the two, after about 2 mins of dipstick dunking. Apart from the large bits the oil was normal, definatley no other contamination.

They were hard, about 0.7mm sq, felt a bit like really hard rubber. Question is, where is it from, and should I be immorally selling the car asap?

It was last serviced in Jan about 5000K ago ( she only goes to college in it really). Car is the 1.1 from 1998, with 75k. I imagine its from some kind of seal? If so, would some kind of engine additive to re-juvinate the seals be worth a shot? Normally I wouldnt bother, but if it will ensure the car last another year or too Ill give it a go
 
Well i don't think an additve can replace rubber that's not there any more :(

I think if it was me i'd drain the oil out and see what's in the sump. Fill it back up and leave cardboard/newspaper underneath and check for leaks. If a seal has gone completely there will be oil coming out of a hole somewhere.

It's not terminal by any means, but depending where the seal is depends on how tiresome/expensive the replacement is
 
Last edited:
The Edge said:
Well i don't think an additve can replace rubber that's not there any more :(

I think if it was me i'd drain the oil out and see what's in the sump. Fill it back up and leave cardboard/newspaper underneath and check for leaks. If a seal has gone completely there will be oil coming out of a hole somewhere.
Click to expand...

No leaks, already done the paper trick. Its possible they came from inside the pipe that the dipstick goes down, Would such bits stick to the dipstick thats just been dipped in the oil?
 
If it's not leaking I wouldn't worry too much.

Could be anything from contaminated oil when it was serviced, to engine deposits that have fallen off.
 
I'd still be inclined to drain the sump out, but if it's not leaking there can't be too much wrong. The oil filter will stop the snot doing any damage.
 
Might be sealant from a cam cover or camcarrier finding its way in the sump as its a cheap one that doesnt disolve in the oil.
 
Sounds like the liquid gasket used to seal engine components such as the sump or oil pump, if its not leaking its probably fine. Just drain and change the filter as mentioned, but check the filter afterward to see how much of this stuff its managed to catch, thats if the oil pump hasnt already mashed it up.
 
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