metal in oil pan

[paulpoko21]

Hello
I just bought a 1991 318is. drove it an hour, 10 mins from my house i hit a big ass pothole and i cracked my oil pan. (car is pretty low, I'm gonna raise it soon and get a skid pad).
when i took off the oil pan i saw some metals in it. it drove fine for an hour before that. my question is, is the metal from impact or its always been there. I believe there is a filter (or something) that i took off too to make sure there was no metal in it from. There was on one side but not from the other. (pics attached).
Thanks a lot

[varg]

Those look like pieces of a timing chain guide.

[Josh1254]

I agree ^^

[flyboyx]

those pieces look like phenolic plastic to me. also agree with the 2 posts above.

[bmwman91]

Yeah, it looks like you are overdue for a timing chain system overhaul. Basically, you should think about replacing most of the stuff in this diagram:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=AF93-USA---E30-BMW-318is&diagId=11_4367

Also change the thermostat and water pump while in there (and ALL associated gaskets/orings). Parts for the rebuild will probably run you $500, and add another $1000 if you want a shop to do it for you.

[IRON-E]

Part out now.

[paulpoko21]

Why you say that sir?

[paulpoko21]

Part out now.

Why you say that sir?

[varg]

I think he's being dramatic. You have a big job ahead of you though, because the timing case needs to be opened to see what's gone wrong under there and lots of things should be replaced while you're in there.

[Gerta]

^ OP - All the timing components, waterpump, thermostat, new coolant, oil filter, oil, etc ... It's pretty spendy and quite necessary given the timing bits in the oil pan, but once done not again for quite awhile.

What Iron-E is alluding to is that many people on the forum would rather pull that motor, part it, and do some sort of 24v swap. Personally, I like my M42 and kept it vs going to an M5x motor.

[varg]

Personally, I like my M42 and kept it vs going to an M5x motor.

I don't like my M42 but an M20/G260 combo weighs 70lbs more than an M42/G240 combo and an M50 with no transmission weighs as much as the M42/G240 combo does. Well, M50 swaps are overrated unless you like weight over the front wheels.

[TobyB]

That, however, is the cleanest oil pan I have ever seen.
Except before assembling a new motor.

Yes, agree with all of the above- do the sliders and plastic
on the timing assembly ($300+) the tensioner plunger and the coolant pipe,
get a skid pan, raise the car a little, and
never worry about any of it again.

t

[Gerta]

I don't like my M42 but an M20/G260 combo weighs 70lbs more than an M42/G240 combo and an M50 with no transmission weighs as much as the M42/G240 combo does. Well, M50 swaps are overrated unless you like weight over the front wheels.

Personal preference. I'm more sport touring rather than RACECAR.

[Massimo]

The hardest part of refreshing your timing gear, is getting the god dam crank bolt off.

Holy fucken shit that is such a PITA.

[Dj Buttchug]

The hardest part of refreshing your timing gear, is getting the god dam crank bolt off.

Holy fucken shit that is such a PITA.

this.


OP Pepper your angus for ultimate destruction