Oil filter metal shavings

[pitkin_g]

Hi All,

I am in the process of starting the rod bearings change on my 2012 E92 M3. While draining the oil and inspecting the oil filter - I have found some metal shavings/debris in the filter. There do not seem to be any "glitter" or any fine metal debris in filter, and oil looks clean overall. I have not dropped the subframe and oil pan yet.

I have done 3 oil changes prior to today (since I purchased the car) and what I was suspecting is that I have a stripped oil drain plug. I always hand tighten it but every time there was a slight seepage. Last change I tried to torque to spec but it didnt feel right.

Question is - can this be pieces of threads from oil drain plug? If yes, possibly no further issues or damage? Could these pieces make it through the oil pick up strainer mesh?
If no, any input is appreciated.

Planning to drop the subframe and oil pan this weekend most likely
Thank you all

[spammysammich]

If 25 nm does not feel right then those are definitely your drain plug threads. Somebody has been over torquing it. With a fresh crush washer an proper torque, they shouldn’t leak at all.

[crazydrummer]

100% that’s what it is. I had the same thing right before I did rods. Mporium fixed the threads, did the rods, and I’ve not seen anything since along with blackstone not seeing anything. Been 30k miles since

[pitkin_g]

Originally Posted by crazydrummer

100% that’s what it is. I had the same thing right before I did rods. Mporium fixed the threads, did the rods, and I’ve not seen anything since along with blackstone not seeing anything. Been 30k miles since

Good to hear that you didnt have any issues after that.

[crazydrummer]

Fwiw what I found in the oil filter looked EXACTLY like that

[pitkin_g]

So I have taken down the oil pan. Looks like the shavings are exactly from the back drain plug. I hope no damage is done and I am good to change the bearings and move on.
Btw, bearings were changed before it looks like, ACL with Arp bolts. But i will change anyways since i am already there

[spammysammich]

Time serts and BMW oil pans, tale as old as time.

[pitkin_g]

I have performed a thread repair to the next size M13 1.5 and a new plug, but after putting the pan back on - in 24hrs i have noticed a very slight oil seepage. I havent reassembled the subframe yet therefore I will take the pan off again and will do a time sert. Annoying situation but I hope time sert works.

[pitkin_g]

Had to go with Time Sert solution. That seems to have done it.