C7George

I did my oil change yesterday and found a chunk on my magnetic drain plug. People on another group think it’s the valve keeper/retainer. I took off the valve cover and all the keepers look to be in place. Engine sounds normal, oil pressure is normal, no check engine light, etc.

TraceZ

Man, that's a tough one. Part of a valve guide?

C7George

How bad would that be?

User Omega

That was my first guess but then I thought... How?

Your valve seal would have to be trash which I would think would cause some smoking. Maybe not if only on one cylinder and with cats..

Very bad. I would not run the engine without further diagnosis.

User Omega

What engine? Stock heads?

Don-Vette

Time to pull the heads for a rebuild,that looks like a piece of a valve keeper. IMO have car towed to the shop.

sccaGT1racer

It looks like a piece of valve guide. There is not enough taper to be a keeper.

C6_Racer_X

That piece looks important.

I'm not sure how a valve guide coming apart would leave pieces in the oil pan. Usually, when those come apart, they drop pieces into the cylinder and score the cylinder walls. If that's what it is, you're very lucky it hasn't lost a cylinder (misfiring).

Based on where you found it, it's more likely to be part of a keeper. I'm trying to think of something else that would have a sleeve like that in a location where it would get to the oil pan when it fractures.

I'd definitely be pulling the heads on that engine if I found that piece in the oil pan. Whatever it is, it's not going to get better on its own, and you might not be so lucky when the next bit falls out of place.

Jughead

EuroRod

If you are mechanically inclined, pull off the valve covers and do an inspection. It should be easy to see the top of the valve stem and if a keeper has broken. If that is the issue, it’s an easy fix if you have an air compressor and a valve spring compression tool. Probably both rentable at you local parts house. Definitely do not start the engine. A dropped valve can be a new engine.
Good luck.

airmed2

If that were on a chip detector on an aircraft engine or gearbox, it would be an instant teardown/rebuild. Fuzz is normal, but the piece you have is big enough for a serial number. That's got to be disheartening.

madmatt9471

I agree 100%, if you can't do it then get a friend to give you a hand to do the inspection, it'll be well worth it in the long run.

It seems too small to be from anything crank related or rollers lifters or cam, however it's "Possible" it could be part of the timing chain, part of one of the rollers on there, but maybe too big for that.

Either way start at the valve train with a very close inspection and take your time, and please report back so others can learn from what you have found!

Thanks,Matt

Yokesc5

stew1100

I vote for valve retainer.
Pull the covers and look very closely at valve retainers

FatsWaller

The notch you see on one edge might be a clue. Sometimes, sleeves and other parts are 'staked' with a punch to provide a more mechanically solid fit. That's just a SWAG on my part. If that notch was not deliberately put there, then it's been hit by some engine part on it's journey to the sump. You've probably been driving it for awhile like that, unless it happened just before you dropped the oil. Hope your luck holds out, and you can get it repaired for not too much coin.

Kenny94945

+ 1 Racer x best guess ...valve stem keepers.

Do not drive, pull the valve covers, perhaps get a valve spring compressor tool and fully inspect.

Next step bore scope into all the spark plug holes, try to isolate which cylinder if any.

Next step remove intake manifold, look for witness marks.

If nothing obvious in visual inspection, next steps expensive and perhaps beyond DIY repair.

Or drive it like you stole it with perhaps a gamble.

Let us know what you find!

If noting obvious in visual inspection

cgladish

as this was found attached to the magnetic drain plug, what internal parts are ferrous metal, that might fit this item?
what are the valve guides & retainers made of?
or for that matter, any of the other items mentioned?

windyC6

Well heck. On the positive and possibly in denial side....maybe it's something that dropped in the pan right before factory install and it's just now found it's way to the magnet.....Good Luck.

TXGS507

Either way i'd be trippin!!!

Silver Epoch

Might be a good idea to send a sample of the used oil to Blackstone for analysis. They can tell you if have any more smaller particulates in the oil that might do damage if you continue to drive it.