Trouble in the oil pan...

[markdav]

Boxster / 2000 / 2.7 / Manual / US

Changed my oil on the 3000 mile mark this weekend. Everything smooth until I took a look at the drain pan and found some small bits of either rubber or silicone like material.

Much more of this in the oil filter. Also some gunk on the oil cap.

Pictures attached.

Smaller bits appear slightly green. The longer segment shown on the black oil pan is about 1/2 inch and mustard colour (both colours may be affected by oil of course). This longer peice is slightly stretchy but breaks easily.

Coolant level is at normal. Regular 8.75 quarts came out of the engine so looks like it is not taking in additional fluid.

Anyone seen this kind of thing in the oil before? Pointers to where I should look first?

Thanks, Mark.

[macsak]

do an archive search on "intermix"

i have a patient in a second, so i'm sure someone will answer before i get back :)

aloha

steve

Boxster / 2000 / 2.7 / Manual / US

Changed my oil on the 3000 mile mark this weekend. Everything smooth until I took a look at the drain pan and found some small bits of either rubber or silicone like material.

Much more of this in the oil filter. Also some gunk on the oil cap.

Pictures attached.

Smaller bits appear slightly green. The longer segment shown on the black oil pan is about 1/2 inch and mustard colour (both colours may be affected by oil of course). This longer peice is slightly stretchy but breaks easily.

Coolant level is at normal. Regular 8.75 quarts came out of the engine so looks like it is not taking in additional fluid.

Anyone seen this kind of thing in the oil before? Pointers to where I should look first?

Thanks, Mark.

[markdav]

Thank you. Looks like the suggestion is water pump or tank. Was this related to the picture of the gunk in the cap?

I changed my water pump about 20K miles ago - failed on the bearings and broke fragments off the fins (black plastic). That was at 43K miles. I'll check it through again.

Water level looks normal (I check it every month and it is right between high and low as normal.

I was also wondering about the oil/water heat exchanger.

Maybe I have two problems? - one causing gunk and the other causing the fragments?

thank in advance.

Mark.

[Loren]

The gunk in the cap is normal for cars that are not fully brought to operating temperatures. It forms from condensation.

Try to drive on longer trips where the car comes to full operating temperatures.

Bits could be plastic or silicone from seals or other replacements done on the car. If it were my car I would change the oil again in 4-6000 miles and see what it looks like then.

[markdav]

Thank you,

No other internal maintenance done since the last water pump replacement.

Could it also be the AOS on the way out? It has been 30K since last replacement. Wondering too if I should check the spark plug tubes? thinking of all the places higher up the engine that could have an oil seal that goes bad without showing itself.....

[ericinboca]

Thank you,

No other internal maintenance done since the last water pump replacement.

Could it also be the AOS on the way out? It has been 30K since last replacement. Wondering too if I should check the spark plug tubes? thinking of all the places higher up the engine that could have an oil seal that goes bad without showing itself.....

I don't see this as AOS. The stuff in the cap is a mix of water and oil from condensation like Loren says. I also think Loren's theory on the particles is right on too. I have a slighty different suggestion though.

I would run it on a fresh fill with a new filter for 1000 miles (shorter or longer depending on how nervous you are) - then change it. As you change it, catch a sample and send it off to an oil analysis lab - they can tell you what is and help you figure out where it is coming from. I use Blackstone Labs in Toledo for analysis - they can send you a kit to capture the oil. Google Blackstone Labs for instructions, kit, etc.

(I do an analysis for every change to keep an eye on metals - gives me a chance of catching some internal problems before they cause a failure in my track car)

[markdav]

Thanks. Are these analysis expensive (cheaper than an engine replacement I guess!)? I have the oil from this last change and have kept the filter and deposits.

[ericinboca]

Thanks. Are these analysis expensive (cheaper than an engine replacement I guess!)? I have the oil from this last change and have kept the filter and deposits.

Blackstone's standard analysis is 22.50. That is a little more expensive than other places, but with Blackstone, a person analyzes the results - it is not just the results - you can also call them and talk to them about your results. If you send a sample of what you changed, tell them it came out of pan or whatever. Good luck.

[petee c]

I got the beige colour crap on the top of the oil cap on my wife's Civic Si. I believe it is condensation as well.... I think it was when we we both had short commutes to work... (less than 2 miles).

Engine ran fine...

All my other vehicles have spin-on oil filters, so I never actually looked at the contents of the filter....

re: Blackstone.

I've done the analysis on my 1.8T Jetta (chipped)... Ericinboca is right... they do editorialize the results, and always "suggest" running another analysis in xxxx miles/km. I ran the analysis because I was leaning towards extending my oil change interval, because most of my driving is now commuting (30miles each way on country roads)

P

[markdav]

Thank you all for the guidance.

Will report back on this thread when I get the results or if the consequences of the green/yellow bits show up.

Thanks, AMrk.