Shard of metal blocked oil drain hole while changing oil, engine runs fine

[mechjames]

While I was changing the oil today, it came out really really slow. I thought it was sludged up, but when i took a screwdriver, a rectangular piece of metal about 1/4in wide by 1/8in thick was in the drain hole. I tried yanking on it with pliers but it wouldn't come out. Its like the top of it is too big to come out the hole.

I thought it might be a connecting rod bolt but it'd be round, not rectangular. It was really small too, but too big at the top to come out of the plug hole.

This really bothers me. I don't know how long its been there, and i'm going on a 1500km trip Tuesday night.

If it just floats in the oil, and if it comes in contact with the crank / con rod it'll just fly off. I don't think it'll hurt the bearings. I'm only worried about it blocking an oil passage.

Is it too much work to drop the pan with the engine installed? I have 4x4, so there's a lot of stuff under there.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I believe I remember reading that in order to drop the oil pan you'd have to remove the engine, or at least pull it out part ways...

What about a strong magnet from the bottom? At least it'd keep the piece in the oil pan out of the way. You could use duct tape to hold the magnet against the pan... just an idea.

 

[mechjames]

this oil change is being analyzed. the oil pickup has a screen so it should be alright. i'll probably pull the motor sometime in the spring, or buy a beater and pull it soon. need to fix the rear main seal and the camshaft sensor anyway. if its been there for a while it hasn't hurt anything.

 

[Cobraguy]

Is there any way you can get a picture? I would be very interested in seeing if we can tell what that could be. It could be nothing...and it could be the kiss of death waiting to happen.

 

[mechjames]

I should have taken a picture while changing the oil, but my hands were full of oil and didn't feel like greasing up my digital camera. when i get home from work i'll try to draw a picture of it.