what is this I fished out from the sump pan today? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

scottmcphee · #1 07-20-2010, 11:23 PM

Did an oil change, and I decided to go fishing with a magnet through the drain hole. Look at what came out.

I do recognize a small bit (closest to the penny), it's a piece of a timing chain segment that went missing last year.

But I have no idea what this curly stuff can be. Anybody got a clue?

It's an OM603 if that helps.

mytmousemalibu · #2 07-20-2010, 11:27 PM

look like wire loops. My guess would be a strainer/screen? I dont know the internals of a 603 though.

vstech · #3 07-20-2010, 11:29 PM

looks like tiny springs. are they springy at all? or does it feel like shaved metal? ya might wanna pull the valve cover and inspect the chain tensioners, and pull the vacuum pump and inspect it for damage. nothing I can think of in there has little springs, but I'm sure whunter will be along shortly and define the items.

scottmcphee · #4 07-20-2010, 11:39 PM

They are springy, not scraped shavings. Round tubular metal.

When I was fishing, I did poke the magnet up off the floor of the pan. I intentionally tried to snag anything hanging around the strainer. It could be strainer material itself.

I've heard the suction of the oil pump and fluid dynamics in the area can pull up objects that repetitively hit the strainer screen and can wear a holes in the screen.

The chain tensioner was changed with the timing chain, about 9 months ago.

Funny you mention vacuum pump. I preemptively changed the vacuum pump this week end. Bearings on the old (original pump) were intact. It was still working fine when I retired it from duty. I put on a newer style closed bearing pump, but the pump did come off a parts car - it was not new. Altho I did clean that part quite well and used air to blow it dry. I did not disassemble the vacuum pump completely (take off front cover, etc) before putting it on... So the bits may have arrived with that pump, carried inside it's chambers somehow? Maybe.

But what are the bits anyway, because that car was an OM603 as well.

kerry · #5 07-20-2010, 11:44 PM

A necklace or bracelet that fell into the oil fill hole?

scottmcphee · #6 07-20-2010, 11:48 PM

I'm dying to get one of those inspection cameras, and poke it into the drain hole and have a look at what I can see in there.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/10149

Worth $250 not pulling the pan?

ik04 · #7 07-20-2010, 11:50 PM

That's what the spring inside a seal looks like when it fails. The spring keeps the lip of the seal in close contact with whatever shaft it is sealing. The pickup tube screen should keep it out of the oil pump, but there are probably more pieces where those came from.

Stretch · #8 07-21-2010, 06:43 AM

Sorry I can't help my self - they say money doesn't grow on tress - but it falls out the bottom of your sump? (Ha Ha)

Seriously though take the sump off and have a look for more foreign objects. They must be from something that went wrong - otherwise you'd have another problem wouldn't you?

Stretch · #9 07-21-2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcphee

I'm dying to get one of those inspection cameras, and poke it into the drain hole and have a look at what I can see in there.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/10149

Worth $250 not pulling the pan?

Oh yeah we all need ANY excuse to buy toys if we can afford them!

{Do it if you have the cash - what does an oil pan gasket cost 5 - 10 USD? But heck a 250 USD camera sounds good to me!}

t walgamuth · #10 07-21-2010, 07:02 AM

Absolutely I would pull the lower pan and clean it out. Also inspect the oil pickup screen for damage at the same time.

You are correct in saying the stray pieces will wear holes in your pickup screen,

This can lead to oil pump lockup and massive damage to your engine.

JB3 · #11 07-21-2010, 07:04 AM

those cameras are soooo worth it. I have used one a number of times to identify blown out catalytic converters, and I was able to put on the 90 degree view head and drop it down a spark plug hole on a mazda to verify the correct opening and closing of every single valve.

Takes a lot of guess work out.

Stretch · #12 07-21-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

those cameras are soooo worth it. I have used one a number of times to identify blown out catalytic converters, and I was able to put on the 90 degree view head and drop it down a spark plug hole on a mazda to verify the correct opening and closing of every single valve.

Takes a lot of guess work out.

I'm glad to hear that they are not just a toy then - any other ideas they can be used for? Then I'll have a list to convince her in doors! (I want one too)

JB3 · #13 07-21-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

I'm glad to hear that they are not just a toy then - any other ideas they can be used for? Then I'll have a list to convince her in doors! (I want one too)

All the reasons you would want to get a peek inside the actual cylinder without doing the work of taking it apart, maybe to check suit or carbon build up (not sure you would be able to see into a prechamber), condition of cylinder walls, indication of damage to valves or piston, FOD inspection, ect.

Concerning the Cat, its just the most amazing tool for talking to customers. I never personally owned one of these things, but at the shop I was working at, the trucks were routinely blowing out the CATs. Every time there was an O2 issue, I would pull the after cat o2 sensor, and look inside. The one we were using could freeze the image, take a picture, and could even route the image to a printer! Then you could show the customer vs tell them. No questions asked.

I have also used it to look for animals or debris in ducting, and to look inside solid frames for internal rust through a bolt hole.