FOD Fell Into Engine: What to do?

[plastic_melter]

Hi all,

I recently went on a preventative maintenance binge on my E90 M3, which included replacing the old plastic VANOS covers with aluminum ones (from Evolve Automotive). In hindsight, I wish I had gotten another pair of plastic OEM ones, since the aluminum ones scraped and dropped some aluminum dust/flakes when I pressed them on (see pic).

I'm not sure how much of an issue this is, and what I should do. I removed as much FOD as I could find in the vicinity, but some definitely fell into the timing case. Could this damage the timing chain / cam gears / VANOS units? I'm not an engine expert, but it looks like the FOD would make its way into the crank case before getting sent to the oil filter, so I suspect something really bad could happen.

Should I strip the S65 down and get the timing case off to clean more thoroughly? Any input is appreciated.

[Helmsman]

Will eventually fall down into the sump and from there picked up by the oil filter. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Redd]

Another reason to use steel bolt-in washers instead of snap-on caps.

[DW_CT9A]

I'm thinking the odds are good that it will make it's way into the sump without consequence and end up in the filter. I can appreciate the concern for sure though.

[plastic_melter]

Looks like you all were right, ~100 miles in, and no issues. I'll check back on the filter next oil change. Curious to see if Blackstone pics up anything (I doubt it, since the flakes are large enough to see)

[DW_CT9A]

I had a similar scare not too long ago. I pulled the oil pan in the course of replacing the rod bearings, and found a couple tiny metal pieces in the bottom of the pan whilst cleaning it. I pulled the filter and cut it apart. More of the same. At that point, I took a break and walked away from it for the remainder of the evening.

When I returned the next night, I looked at the metal more closely. It was not like bearing material. Not flaky. Too thick and chunky. WTF? And the car had several Blackstone tests with great results.

I shared all this with a friend who jumped on the forums and found others reporting similar material after a stripped drain plug required repair. Then it dawned on me that my car had this same issue under previous ownership. Went to the records and sure 'nuff....rear drain plug hole had been drilled/tapped and a new helicoil installled. That was a massive relief.

500 mi after RB job, I did an oil/filter change. Filter inspection yielded no further material so I guess I was able to get it all out of the pan. Filter was the MVP here for sure though.

[AYSchweiz]

I had a similar experience as well, just before I picked up my car PO told me the shop that changed the oil stripped the plug but drilled and retapped the hole to a larger size. I drove the car 1200 miles home and did an oil change as soon as I got back and found a few metal shavings in the oil filter.
I dropped the pan to check the rod bearings and not only found shavings, I found almost an entire helicoil! I guess the pan had been stripped and repaired previously, but the shop didn't realize and when they drilled it out, they drove the old helicoil up into the pan. That was pretty shocking to find in the bottom of the pan.

The oil change after I cleaned it all out showed no metal flakes and the oil analysis came back clean, so it seems that the filter caught most of the other swarf that was left in there.