What's This?

[myoldjalopy]

I have just drained the engine oil from the car ready for an oil change and found this bit of metal attached to the magnetic sump drain plug. It is about 9mm long and slightly curved. Any ideas where it came from and should I be concerned? The car is running OK (oil was drained after an uneventual 100 mile round trip).
One side:

2022-08-21 13.30.35.jpg (568.94 KiB) Viewed 546 times

T'other side:

2022-08-21 13.31.03.jpg (506.04 KiB) Viewed 546 times

[oliver90owner]

I have just drained the engine oil from the car ready for an oil change and found this bit of metal attached to the magnetic sump drain plug. It is about 9mm long and slightly curved. Any ideas where it came from and should I be concerned? The car is running OK (oil was drained after an uneventual 100 mile round trip).
One side:
2022-08-21 13.30.35.jpg
T'other side:
2022-08-21 13.31.03.jpg

I would, especially if I knew it wasn’t there when the engine was built. Possibly from the timing chain adjuster?

[myoldjalopy]

Hmmm....I assume it wasn't there when the engine was built. But the engine was re-built about 50,000 miles ago AND the crankshaft broke and was replaced about 30,000 miles ago - might be something to do with that?

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

I wouldn't worry about it if the engine is running OK and seems in order. A particle this size would never pass the oil strainer pick-up, let alone get through the filter.

[oliver90owner]

…. A particle this size….

It’s certainly not I would call a ‘particle’ at almost a centimetre long…

Perhaps could do with a close up pic of this chunk of metal?

[paul 300358]

Looks like part of a tab off a tab washer. I would probably drop the sump for a quick look.

[oliver90owner]

Looks like part of a tab off a tab washer. I would probably drop the sump for a quick look.

Could be - but no problem according to some? After all, all that could happen/follow is a big end cap falling off. No need to worry if the engine is running OK and seems in order.

IMO, the fact that there is something that may be falling apart, inside the engine, it needs sorting out. There may be more bits coming loose at this moment - who knows?

[myoldjalopy]

Well, the truth is nobody knows! However, as there was nothing further to be found in the old oil, nor in the old filter, I am not inclined to dismantle the engine just in case something may (or may not!) be breaking up internally, particularly as it could equally be a remnant of the previous crankshaft failure that has been lurking there ever since. As the car is running without issue (and I meant an 'uneventful' 100 round trip, not 'uneventual' - I don't think that's even a real word! ) I shall keep an eye on things and see how it goes.
If anything further materialises, I shall report back, at which point feel free to say "I told you so!"