Shall we play a game?

by "BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
Published 01/16/2017 at 22:02

No Tags
STARS: 2

It’s called Global Thermonuclear War “What the hell did I find during my oil change?”

I found these pieces of metal whilst underneath the Tahoe looking up into the engine oil return after I had removed the filter. I grabbed it with a very long pair of pliers, breaking it as I removed it from the engine inlet. They appear to have been a single, circular piece at one time. They are also very heat-affected, and are quite brittle.

So what do you think? Piece of a crappy old oil filter that came loose? Part of a lash adjuster or valve-stem seal? Something far more heinous?

Vehicle is a 5.3 Tahoe with over 200k miles, and no, I have no clue what they are. Truck runs fine though...for now...

Replies (41)

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
01/16/2017 at 22:07, STARS: 0

Fancy ruler. Is it cork on the back?

"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
01/16/2017 at 22:07, STARS: 0

first question: what are they made of?

second question: did you see a seal on the new filter that wasn’t there on the old filter?

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:12, STARS: 1

Simple machinist’s rule, all metal.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:18, STARS: 0

They are metal, either high-finish or worn, extremely heat-affected (in my industry we call that pattern Elephant Hide) and therefore incredibly brittle.

If I get my hand on an alloy analyzer gun I can give you a more accurate guess, but right now I’m guessing aluminum. They are so thin that it is hard to tell.

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
01/16/2017 at 22:18, STARS: 1

Damn it, the jewelry salesman told me it was heat-resistant!

Well, regardless... Will you marry me?

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:19, STARS: 0

How.... how long ago did you put that in there?

"Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ" (magooslaststand)
01/16/2017 at 22:19, STARS: 3

All I know is star for war games reference

"Zip-McBump" (zip-mcbump)
01/16/2017 at 22:21, STARS: 1

Doesn’t matter... looks like we have a Jalopnik Love Connection!!!

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:27, STARS: 0

And no, I have checked all the filters and have never noticed anything missing (I have owned the vehicle since new). I could have missed something a while ago, but I checked the filter I just removed thoroughly.

"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
01/16/2017 at 22:31, STARS: 0

But I want to play chess damnit.

"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
01/16/2017 at 22:32, STARS: 1

I’m guessing valvetrain. Something that broke off up there can drain back without wasting the rest of the engine.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:33, STARS: 1

You’ll sit down and play Global Thermonuclear War with Joshua and you’ll like it!

"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
01/16/2017 at 22:36, STARS: 0

I know. How about we play each other a bunch of times to add to the greater pool of human knowledge.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:37, STARS: 0

Unfortunately, I think so as well.

Maybe it’s time for that engine swap I keep putting off.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:38, STARS: 0

Unfortunately, that is a game you only get to play once.

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
01/16/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 0

I can’t see how it’s valve train. Maybe part of the oil pickup screen? I’d do a compression test right away to allay any serious issues.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
01/16/2017 at 22:45, STARS: 0

piston ring?

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
01/16/2017 at 22:45, STARS: 0

are they magnetic?

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:48, STARS: 0

To be part of the oil pickup screen it would have to pass through the pickup screen itself, then through oil pump (intact), then the filter, and then squeeze into the oil filter outlet all the way to the 90 degree bend. Here is a photo of the oil flow path on a 5.3. The part was found about where the oil pressure relief valve is (the number “6").

Maybe it’s part of the Displacement on Demand system? I will do a compression test as soon as I can.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:50, STARS: 0

Derp, didn’t even check. Will do that when I get back off the road.

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
01/16/2017 at 22:52, STARS: 3

It has always been in there. I put it in at the factory, knowing I would one day marry the person who found it.

It was not the most thought-out idea.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/16/2017 at 22:53, STARS: 0

I hope not, will do a compression/leakdown test when I can.

"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
01/16/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 0

We use similar ones around work all the time. I love them - nice straight edge and they don’t break like tape measures or wooden rulers. I think you can get a 12" one from Grainger for like $5.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
01/16/2017 at 23:28, STARS: 0

12" is something everyone can enjoy

"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
01/16/2017 at 23:28, STARS: 0

Wow I walked right into that one didn’t I.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
01/16/2017 at 23:30, STARS: 1

If you’re into that sort of thing

"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
01/17/2017 at 00:00, STARS: 0

Looks like some sort of journal bearing but that’s got to be too small for a main or rod bearing on a 5.3L

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/17/2017 at 00:23, STARS: 1

Not well thought out indeed.

You must have been hoping for someone with tiny hands, too. Unfortunately, Melania beat you to the punch.

"garagemonkee" (monke)
01/17/2017 at 01:18, STARS: 1

I’m guessing the band that is around the valve stem seal broke and eventually found its way into the pan.

"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
01/17/2017 at 02:01, STARS: 0

first signs of impending doom!

"sdwarf36" (sdwarf36)
01/17/2017 at 07:21, STARS: 1

Its probably the metal band around the valve guide seal.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/17/2017 at 08:21, STARS: 0

Yea, I bet that’s the winnner. The 07-08 5.3L’s had some valve stem seal issues too, so I bet I have one coming apart.

"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
01/17/2017 at 08:51, STARS: 0

I regret i only have one star to give.

"Steve" (stevelouzon)
01/17/2017 at 11:01, STARS: 0

Machining chips that were not completely removed before assembly.

"You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
01/17/2017 at 11:13, STARS: 1

Definitely not a piston ring. Too small diameter and the material is in the wrong orientation. A piston ring would have the material in a flat disc, not in a cylinder like those. Like others have said, it’s probably from a valve guide seal.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/17/2017 at 19:04, STARS: 0

They are NOT magnetic.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/17/2017 at 19:06, STARS: 0

Are those rings stainless or aluminum? I just checked and the metal is NOT magnetic.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
01/17/2017 at 19:38, STARS: 0

i think piston rings are iron or steel, so that is good news.

"BorkBorkBjork" (tbirdlemons)
01/17/2017 at 19:43, STARS: 0

I think it is part of a valve stem seal, as mentioned by a few others here. Much easier repair.

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
01/17/2017 at 19:46, STARS: 1

saw that about 10 sec after posting. too late to pull back. that looks about right.

"garagemonkee" (monke)
01/17/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 0

I’d assume they’re aluminum, no need to be steel, they’re not a high-strength application, but I don’t know for sure.