Mystery object in the sump

[Loubaruch]

A decided to remove the sump for painting and after draining the oil I found this attached to the magnetic drain plug.

Any idea what it is?

No other metal fragments or evidence of any other alien materials in the oil

The engine ran normally prior to draining the sump

[phillpot]

Better photo's?

Size? put something in photo for scale?

[Getragdogleg]

Has got needle roller bearings in it?

What size is it?

Has it got rubber attached?

[Loubaruch]

[quote=Loubaruch]A decided to remove the sump for painting and after draining the oil I found this attached to the magnetic drain plug.

Any idea what it is?

No other metal fragments or evidence of any other alien materials in the oil

The engine ran normally prior to draining the sump

[Caddyshack]

Eek, looks big. Can you put it next to a 5p or something for reference?

Looks like it has gone bump on something.

I would be tempted, if it has good oil pressure, and no noises, to forget about it and hope.

[Loubaruch]

Thanks, its about 10mm in length, It is quite clean not any rubber or any other substance attached.

[Caddyshack]

What specific TVR is it? Engine size etc? I’d like to look at an exploded view of sump images…hopefully we can locate something from the sump area.

[cliffords]

It looks like a dowel , has the sump got dowels to the block ?

Edited by cliffords on Thursday 31st October 21:11

[Caddyshack]

cliffords said:

It looks like a dowel , is the sump got dowels to the block ?

I was looking at pics of sumps and cannot see one but I assume they would be in the block?

I think you are right .

Edited by Caddyshack on Thursday 31st October 21:14

[Loubaruch]

Thanks to all for your thoughts. It is a 500 Serpentine engine I wil get some snaps of the bottom end of the engine tomorrow.

[Caddyshack]

Fingers crossed it is a dowel. I’d wonder what made it squish but presumably it could have been floating in the sump and a rod smacked it…I’d guess the rod would be ok. As no other bits of metal on the magnet I think you got away with it.

[eliot]

looks like a dowel to me as well.
Rubber rocker cover gaskets have something similar from memory to stop the gasket getting crushed too much.

[BritishTvr450]

I’d say it could be one of the rocker spacers based on the size.

[sixor8]

I'd agree with that. Rubber rocker cover gaskets have them held in place (4 in each) but often drop out.

Should be circular of course so probably crushed by something. They aren't made of particularly hard steel so the fact it made it into the sump is probably a good thing.

[Huntsman]

sixor8 said:

I'd agree with that. Rubber rocker cover gaskets have them held in place (4 in each) but often drop out.

Should be circular of course so probably crushed by something. They aren't made of particularly hard steel so the fact it made it into the sump is probably a good thing.

Defo, I just caught an escapee yesterday.

[Loubaruch]

Many thanks to all replies.

I had a look at a rocker cover rubber rubber gasket and yes the metal inserts look very similar in shape and size to the offender.

I did replace the rocker gaskets some time ago, so it could have happened then.

Is there enough room in the oil ways for the offender to have reached the sump

Thanks again, it could be a lot worse!

[cliffords]

I replied on my phone yesterday now on my tablet. Some years ago I rebuilt a V8. I actually can't remember if it was a Rover or a Chevrolet.
I spent ages sealing the sump up with mastic and when I was done I realised I had not put in the oil pick up tube .

After a bit of swearing, I took the sump back off to fit the tube .
Good job as it turned out as I had left a 3/8 ratchet extension in the bottom of the sump !

Edited by cliffords on Friday 1st November 21:23

[Caddyshack]

What specific TVR is it? Engine size etc? I’d like to look at an exploded view of sump images…hopefully we can locate something from the sump area.

[Loubaruch]

Its a 1996 Griffith 500 with the Rover deririved Serpentine V8 engine. I cannot see how the steel spacer could have reached the sump from a rocker box.

[BritishTvr450]

Have you ever fitted rocker boxes with inlet manifold off the car at anytime.
It could easily roll down and into the bottom end via the cam area from there.
If it is indeed one of the rocker box spacers you’d expect to find one now missing.