Originally Posted by Nate Stanley

OK guys, troubleshooting time. THis all started when I got a knocking / rapping sound on the way home from work one day almost 2 years ago.

I was doing a compression test when I lost the O ring on the tester's quick release, NOW- I got another tester, values were:
#1 395
#2 385
#3 200
#4 365
#5 360

The noise does not get deeper with increased engine speed.

Oil pressure is fine, though I believe a malfunctioning gauge sender gave me a false positive and I may have run the engine low on oil for a short time. Once I heard the noise, I limped to an auto parts store and topped off the crankcase. It was at least 3 qts low. This engine does have a lot of blowby.
SOOOO,
I drained the oil today and pulled the pan. I found:

1) the O ring from the compression tester
2) some tiny bits of what appear to be plastic or gasket cement
3) No, repeat, NO bearing fragments or metal debris of any kind. \

I cut apart the oil filter, found the usual sticks and cotton waste in the upper section, and some tiny metallic fragments, no more than .010" -.020" in size in the lower section. Total qty may have been 50-70 evenly distributed thru the pleated filter.

I have yet to yank the head, but will do so soon. In trying to rule out the lower end bearings, I have 2 questions:

1) Is that sort of debris in the oil filter normal for a high mileage engine?

and

2)has anyone ever lost a rod bearing or main bearing and NOT had any metal debris in the oil pan?

Any insight based on experience here will be most welcome.


Thanks and best regards,