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Pulled the oil pan, found plastic/metal chunks?

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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:09 PM
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Default Pulled the oil pan, found plastic/metal chunks?

Oh lord..
Okay, so during my journey of swapping cams, I have pulled the oil pan do I can change my rear main seal and oil pan gasket and clean out any sludge that could be in my oil pan. Well, I dropped the pan to find a LOT of what I think are metal chunks (will verify when my hands warm up from the 3 degree garage) and when looking up into the block I fished out and found a large, curved black plastic piece hiding behind the crank. What could all this be? I can't find anything obvious by looking up into the block, and I have yet to pull my balancer so I haven't gotten the timing chain cover off. I'll post pics as soon as I'm on a computer, won't let me off my phone for some reason.
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:12 PM
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sounds like the nylon coating on the timing chain gear.......
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by speedreed8
sounds like the nylon coating on the timing chain gear.......
Seen it many times in the past..
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:27 PM
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Here are the photos. Well if it is then I'm glad I was already planning and swapping it out with the cam. I'll try to check it out tomorrow as I don't have a harmonic balancer puller.
Attached Images     
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:31 PM
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I don't think I'd freak too badly if the engine was running smoothly before the teardown. I've seen a few cam gears self destruct due to plastic or composite gear teeth. Detroit seems to detest cam drive noise, thus the fragile gears. Replace with a good true-roller timing set and live worry-free for many miles.
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:34 PM
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Exacty what I'm gonna do. Engine was running perfectly before I noticed this, Wouldn't have ever guessed
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:36 PM
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Maybe its just the flash but almost looks like some copper in the bottom of the pan. Checking a few bearings now certainly couldnt hurt
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Maybe its just the flash but almost looks like some copper in the bottom of the pan. Checking a few bearings now certainly couldnt hurt
I'll check the pan again when I'm in the garage. I think its just the flash though as the pan seemed just black with oil and the chunks. If paranoia gets me, I'll be running through the engine checking everything
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Old Jan 2, 2014 | 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Conrad Celinski
I'll check the pan again when I'm in the garage. I think its just the flash though as the pan seemed just black with oil and the chunks. If paranoia gets me, I'll be running through the engine checking everything
The curved black piece looks alot like the front or back oil pan seal for a four piece seal
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Old Jan 2, 2014 | 09:13 AM
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This thing circled has me a little concerned. Unless it is part of the oil pan.

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Old Jan 2, 2014 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by speedreed8
sounds like the nylon coating on the timing chain gear.......
x2. longer parts looks to be a oil pan seal to me too.
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Old Jan 2, 2014 | 11:15 PM
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that last pics looks like part of a oil dipstick.
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Old Jan 3, 2014 | 04:51 AM
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I looked at that metal piece and I believe its just part of the oil pan that I damaged trying to pry the darn thing off. Also I don't think the curved black piece is part of the seal, as both the front and rear gasket pieces are still stuck to the block.. haven't pulled the timing cover yet. Should get to it on Monday once I get a puller.
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Old Jan 3, 2014 | 06:24 AM
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pretty common, but it looks like you caught it in time. also check the pick up screen.
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