Braverichard, where could i send a sample for spectro analysis? Haven't done that since my Air Force days, many moons ago.
I did pull a clean sample off the top into a glass jar and shoot a photo-flood thru it, no debri that i could see with a mag.glass and a swish or three with a very strong magnet resulted in no metal sludge. I usually do the magnet trick with my used oil every change. To be truthful, if i came up against a high dollar repair i would probably just park it next to the rest of my parts storage vehicles and start looking for another under 150,000 mile SD.
Brian, I meant to ask you last time, how do you like the SDL? I really want one but I hesitate to leave the 5 cyl that I know and love. { and also have a parts car for, maybe two if my SD is going down}

__________________
83 300SD- 223,000 miles {mine}
85 300D- 187,000, {wifes}
82 300D- 374,000, {parts car now, my first diesel}
74 Triumph Spitfire {constant PIA}
72 Jeep Commando {snow ride}