whats this stuck to my drain plug? (pic)
 

http://www.rockfordracing.com/forums..._56_317307.jpg
quarter is just to gauge size...was not in the pan.... heh

Ok, the two pieces were stuck in the oil drain hole when I changed oil time before last, then the last oil change another piece that fits with those came out too. Looks like the diameter of it is just a little larger than a quarter and thickness is about the same as the quarter. Car is running well. Its just cam and exhaust, only had it on the track twice, so its not beaten real hard. Did valve springs, seats, retainers, ported oil pump, pushrods, and timing chain when the cam was done. I have asked man knowledgeable people what they think and most just say drive it til it blows. So I figured it was time to ask LS1 specific people before I go for broke. I know this pic isnt much to go off of but any feedback is appreciated.

Dan

im thinkin could that be part of a washer that broke maybe??? other than that im really not sure but thats what it looks like to me

Looks like a part of a spring retainer to me.

:werd: Better pull the valve covers and check everything out...

you may wanna pull your valve covers and look at your spring stuff

Looks like a retainer.

More like a spring seat than a retainer. If he had pieces that big of a retainer in his pan, his engine would have self destructed.

I with him on it probably from spring seat

spring seat to me too, not retainer

Did the 99's have one piece valve seals/retainers? BTW, I found pieces of an inner spring in my oil pan and it didn't hurt the motor. It (fortunately) drained down from the head into the pan following the flow of oil. Now, had the magnetic drain plug not grabbed it before the pickup tube, then it would have been a much bigger issue.

Spring seat is alot thinner than a quater isn't it? It's a really thin steel. It may be more than one retainer falling apart.

drain plug have it's gasket on there?? if yes then maybe spring seat washer but, seems kinda small for that.



fuerzaws6 :drive:

If its the thickness of a quarter Id say retainer....I wouldnt drive it any further! My car chewed up some Isky retainers once but it took 20,000 miles!

i did pull the valve covers last fall, its way to thin to be a seat or a retainer. I couldnt find any good pics of what the prc dual springs looked like top or bottom, thinking it could be some part of the springs. Or the oil pump.. i dont remember if there was spacers for that or not, thinking it could be one of those spacers? I didnt do the cam myself so without having my hands in it I dont remember the smaller details. Thanks for all the responses.
Dan

That is a spring seat. Had the same pieces in my oil pan. Never noticed it missing until I spun a bearing. After tearing down the motor I found them in the oil pan. I couldnt even notice them missing or broken with the springs still on, I had to pull each spring to find it. But thats defiantly what it is. If I can find my pics ill post them up.

Would appreciate that very much. Was there any damage to the head or valve stem/pushrod? Maybe an excuse to get heads.

No damage, well none that was caused by that anyways. No telling how long it was even in there lol. Mine was from the driverside head.

Hope you caught it in time man! Good luck!

And Z'mnypit everytime i see you car i get a stiffy :hump:

Someone please explain to me how a spring retainer or valve spring seat would make its way to the oil pan???Looks,like an old piece of drain plug gasket to me.I suppose it could through the pcv system but I dont know.

I dont think it's a seat. The aftermarket seats have a lip on the inside where it comes in contact with the seal, I dont see that on either of those pieces. I believe a seat would dwarf a quarter anyway, although I havn't held one in a while.... Something that big I dont think could make it's way down there anyway.

You said it was in the drain hole, so does that mean it's not metal? Was it stuck to the plug itself?