found this in my oil pan.. any ideas?

[mrpoonerson]

Hey guys,

I dropped my oil pan just to check whats been going on. The red oil service light came on and ive been reading that it could be oil pressure issues.

I found this part in my pan and I have no idea what it goes to or how it got in there. It doesnt look to be broken, looks like a bolt went array somewhere and this thing fell out.... I also dont see any cracks...
Any ideas? Hopefully someone knows so i can pinpoint where to attack next.

Thanks

http://home.pacbell.net/fwmn65/missingpiece.jpg

[romkasponka]

It is from tensioner and it should be one long bolt somethere.. :(

It could be that during replacement it was lost.

[kowalski]

that doesn't look like the tensioner cap... then again its been a while since i saw one...

[FL318is]

Sounds like its time to research realoem :confused:!

[mrpoonerson]

what is this realoem you speak of:confused:

[kowalski]

realoem (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/)

[D. Clay]

Could be a piece of a timing chain guide rail. The oil service light, if it's by the little row of green, orange, and red lights at the bottom of the cluster, just means that you need to change the oil. The FAQ section has a link on how to reset it:
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32
As the piece doesn't look beat up, it may have been dropped and went right to the bottom. In that case it may be a "don't worry-be happy"
Shiny ground up pieces are the bad news when you pull the lower pan.

[romkasponka]

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7769/detalewm7.jpg

[m44power]

i dont have this piece in my m42 ???!?!?! i have only a long bolt

[romkasponka]

I think this is factory modifications..

[mrpoonerson]

this explains why my timing has been acting up.. scheisser!

[D. Clay]

The cam gear teeth are pretty pointed. A little history would be helpful. Possibly timing chain and/or guide rail replacement leaving worn cam gears behind. The cam gear looks as if it has been moved on the cam or maybe the photo was taken before they were aligned and bolted down. Could be a source of timing problems. My car has three bolts holding that guide rail in place.

[sheepdog]

Time for new sprockets and chain based on those cam sprockets. Those wear out slower than the other ones, so if they are that bad, the others are worse.

[romkasponka]

This is my cam and sprocket. And it is good enough to be used ;)

Chain is new in this picture, cam was adjusted for beter top end, but it was not right for performance and it is readjusted now..