oil drain mag plug thin metal like troll doll

[newworld]

new owner 87 928s4, drained oil today, did not see metal flakes in oil, but on oil drain plug, magnetic, i see tiny slivers of metal and the magnetic eraser head looks like a troll doll with spiked hair, each piece several mm.

as a auto tranny s4, i am fearing the worst, tbf. i have never started the car but i understand it starts and runs, but rough running. when i bought it suspect lh ecu problem. was not able to any pre purchase etc.

i will do a crank endshaft this weekend, but these tiny metal like particles causing me some alarm.

i pulled the oil filter, and drained it in a container, i do not see any metal, but i did not cut it open, as i dont have the cutter and if i saw into it i will introduce metal flakes from the sawing. i just drained the oil completely from the filter and studied the oil.

[whatudrivin]

Got any pictures of the metal flakes on the drain plug? It does sound like there is something causing excess wear in the motor.

[tmpusfugit]

Generally on a TBF problem all the metal particles will be aluminum, not steel.....and of course aluminum will not be on the magnet....

[Mrmerlin]

how many miles on the engine?
when you release the front pinch bolt see how much the flex plate moves.
Also retighten the rear pinch bolt to 66 ft/lb and a drop of blue loctite to the threads first then install the front bolt.

The metal you see isnt a cause for concern BUT if the oil has lots of metallic particles in it when dripped onto a black piece of cardboard and looked at in the sun, then you probably have thrustBF

[newworld]

thanks all for responses, 1987 928s4 auto tranny, 145k miles.

--put oil in sun, dipstick, and some samples, no glittering.

--magnetic oil drain plug, has tiny 1-3mm barbs stuck on the eraser head of the magnetic plug. like a troll doll.

--did not do crank endplay test yet as very scared. but will do it this week or weekend.

--oil was thick, brown and old.

--mahle filter was taken out, and i placed it is a clear container, and oil drained out of the filter. did not see metal flakes.

--did see some clumping of oil, and it breaks up in my fingers when i rubbed together like sludge.

**i will post pics, when i get a chance with my phone. but imagine a plug, with an eraser head, and tiny barbs, like spiked hair on the eraser head....like a troll doll.

[Mrmerlin]

do the flex plate check and end play check
from the info provided you should be OK with fresh oil filter and drive shaft tension released

[newworld]

i will do endplay test, i have a digital caliper, but i see a dial type caliper that most people use. also, there is some discrepancy on literature, some say measure before release of pich bolt, some say, release first and then check play etc.

also there is some discussion on install new pinch bolt, and porken clamp etc

some say just release tension after every oil change etc.

i am prepared that i have tbf, and consider this now along term project, i.e. possible engine repair or engine swap. i fear even that i will not measure endplay correctly.

i also am confused as to endplay. is it 4mm? .4mm? some say s4s have less leeway than earlier models. alot of literature is conflicting, and confusing.....

[Mrmerlin]

OK follow this.
jack the car up use jackstands on all 4 jack pads.
Remove the battery ground strap.
Remove the bell housing,
on an auto car remove the exhaust from the manifolds and drop it as one piece.

NOTE disconnect the O2 sensor from the inside at the CE panel and push the wires through the chassis first before dropping the exhaust.

Remove the rear heatshields this will expose the rear drive shaft pinch bolt.
At the front pinch bolt remove it and see how much the flex plate clamp moves it may be a few MMs.
Once the front bolt is removed ,
then go to the rear bolt you will need to turn the crank some to get the rear bolt to line up, it takes an 8mm allen socket.

Remove this bolt noting how tight it is they are generally loose.

Once this bolt is out then inspect it for shank and thread damage,
clean the threads and add a drop of blue loctite,

Inspect the shaft alignment at the rear coupler,
if the cutout isnt in line then you will have to move the drive shaft to realign the cut out,
This can be done with the front flex plate clamp,
( though you need to remove the 6 bolts that hold it to the flywheel),
mark the relationship first.
once the 6 bolts are out then you attach the front clamp to the shaft then tap the clamp front to rearwards to align the clamp.

Warning dont try to use vice grips to clamp onto the shaft as these will cause stress risers and possibly cause the shaft to shear.

Once the rear bolt slot is inalignment then add the loctite to the bolt then torque to 66ft/ lb.
Then move to the front figure out a way to measure the front to rear movement of the crank with the front clamp bolt removed..
The measurements in inches are
New .008in.
Used from .010in. to .012in.
MAX .016 in.
Use long screw drivers to pry the flywheel back and forth,
you will hear a dull thunk as the crank moves in its bore.

Once the clearance is checked then refit the front clamp bolt add loctite and torque to 66 ft/lbs/

NOTE if any of the clamp bolts are damaged they should be replaced.


Warning not checking the rear pinch bolt as described means that this inspection has not been performed correctly and TBF can still occur.
Install the bell housing ,
the rear heat shields ,
and the exhaust ,
and then reconnect the O2 sensor.
Connect the battery

[newworld]

i am a bit confused with these instructions:::



"Inspect the shaft alignment at the rear coupler,
if the cutout isnt in line then you will have to move the drive shaft to realign the cut out,
This can be done with the front flex plate clamp,
( though you need to remove the 6 bolts that hold it to the flywheel),
mark the relationship first.
once the 6 bolts are out then you attach the front clamp to the shaft then tap the clamp front to rearwards to align the clamp."

[Pete R]

I assume that since they bothered to put a magnet on the drain plug in the first place the should be some metallic residue of some kind.