black pellets next to oil filter????

I have noticed this for a while but I never have asked...

I have this collection of black pellets next to the oil filter...I jave cleaned them up...but they reappear..

it this normal?
What are they?
I thought they may be from the filter, but isn't it just paper??

they are tiny pellets..like cake sprinkling...

thanks

MJ

Got mice?

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Phil Garner
'72 911E Sporto

I agree, set a mouse trap overnight in that spot. They love to chew wiring and build nests in 911 engine compartments. They can get under the fan shroud and build a nest on your engine that can potentially cause cooling problems and future engine damage.

If it isn't mice, don't fear, it is just activated carbon (charcoal) from the black cannister just behind the oil filter on the fire wall. The carbon is used as a hydrocarbon vapor adsorber, which I believe is connected to a fuel rebreather line. Someone please corret me if I'm wrong. It is a pretty common site, and I have it on my 83SC also. I'm just not sure how to stop it or what is causing it. Split cannister?, missing filter screen?, disconnected hose?. I haven't looked into mine yet but sooner or later there won't be any carbon, and then what? Gas fumes in cabin?

Eric
'83SC

I think Eric knows what he's talking about. If you inspect it *carefully*, you'll be able to tell the difference between carbon and mouse **** (!) The carbon canister on my SC had a crack in it, and the particles that came out were as you described.
Oh yeah... if there *are* mice in your engine room, put a cat in there for a few days to take care of the problem.

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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

HAHAHAHA

yes I think with my limited education I can tell the difference between carbon particles and mouse ****...

So to the guys about the carbon filter?
Where is it? and how do I go about replacing it?

Is this where I could be losing oil as well?
hmmmm...it always seems to build up between oil changes...

thanks

MJ,

Are you getting the charcol in the air box as well? I was surprised when I open up mine after seeing the charcol by the oil filter and finding it had traveled to the air intake! Imagine that stuff getting sucked into the cylinder. I just disconnected the hose going to the air intake.
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Paul
78SC Targa

82SC;

The only real way to tell the difference between the two (mouse **** and carbon) is by taste! Of course, if the moouse **** has been heated on the engine for too long, it too could develop a carbon taste. Just remember, crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle is probably not carbon! OK, enough teasing. The carbon canister is on the right side of the engine compartment(looking in from the rear of the car, farther back from the oil filter, just behind the deck lid hinge if I recall. It is about the size of a football and I think it has a black hose running out the back of it. As far as any remedies for your problem, I can't help much. As I mentioned before, I have the problem too but haven't been too concerned about it once I knew it was just carbon. I am just as curious about fixing it as you. Hope someone else can describe how to remove and/or repair it would be appreciated. Where can you get fresh activated carbon to replenish the canister, if it is necessary at all?

Eric
'83SC

You could get the charcoal from a pet store (used in fish tank filters).
You could also get a mouse to really verify, and if it proves to be a mouse you could get a cat as well to rid yourself of the mouse.
One stop shopping.
Barrier

This is what you need to rid your P-car of those nasty rodents:

If you can wake them up from their nap, that is!


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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

[This message has been edited by Doug Zielke (edited 04-16-2001).]

My Gawd its those ball bearing mouse traps!!! (unless they are all female). All they need is some little fedoras and we could call em the "Mouser Mafia"!!!!

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Howie
79SC

Almost forgot to mention...Herdin cats is a tough business!!!!

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Howie
79SC

I guess I should introduce the "gurls"....
On the top step is Sasha, who is the sister of Neon, on the left, next step down. They are Lynx-point Siamese. Next,in the middle, is Mercury, she's a purebred Russian Blue. And on the right is Kitty (the best cat in the world), we adopted her from the local SPCA.


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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

Guess it would be in poor taste to express envy at the fact that you have four pussies and all I have is a dog.


So I won't.

Just to add a quick serious note to this post. There are lots of stories about mice building nests in and around cylinders causing extreme hot spots for the engine. Just one more thing to worry about...
Later,
Buck

Very serious indeed. Mice chewed the life out of the wiring in my friends BMW cabriolet, while he was away for 2 weeks. Cost? $6200 cdn.

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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm