Bits of ? Found In Oil Screen

[FL-Frank]

This morning when changing the oil in my ‘67’s engine, I found several small hard bits of something caught in the screen. Although I cleaned them up with soap and water and inspected them with a magnifying glass, I’m unable to determine for sure what they are and where they came from. I also tested the bits with a strong magnet, and although the attraction is not as strong as it is with nuts, bolts, etc. there is a slight attraction to the magnet.

The engine has good compression and runs and sounds very healthy, and I religiously change the oil every 3,000 miles.

About 10,000 miles ago when I was removing and replacing the fuel pump, the bottom of the fuel pump’s base broke off inside of the case. I fished as much as I could out, and figured the rest would get broken up and flush out during future oil changes. I changed the oil 500 miles after replacing the fuel pump, and found several small pieces of the fuel pump base caught in the screen, however, the next several oil changes produced nothing in the screen...until today.

I would like to assume that what I found today are merely more bits from the fuel pump base finally flushing out of the engine, however, the fact that there is a slight attraction to the magnet has me worried that the bits I found today are from something else broken inside of the engine.

The fuel pump bases are made of hard plastic or Bakelite, correct? Would there be a slight attraction to a magnet with plastic or Bakelite?

Any other thoughts on what these bits could be and where they may have come from?

_________________
“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
“Fritz” 1964 Gulf Blue Karmann Ghia Coupe...Complete Pan-Off Restoration SOLD

[67rustavenger]

Fuel pump stand lower section.
It got crunched up by the cam gears.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[FL-Frank]

[67rustavenger]

[FL-Frank]

[wheel607]

It (fuel pump block) could have picked up a SLIGHT bit of magnetism from the SLIGHT cut of the rings or the cylinders. Even a rocker arm could give off enough sluff to give that sight reading. But judging by what others have said, and I have seen it so many times, its the fuel pump block, and yes it is 100% plastic or bakelite. The early cam gears were bakelite or some such plastic, but I am sure this is not your case.

[67rustavenger]

[wheel607]

It will crush REAL easy. You are right, and when you look at the second row of pieces he took out they are rounded. His oil will be a little darker also. I would run through an oil change, change again, then forget about it. Again, I have seen it soooooo many times in 50 years VW. Also I have seen only two engines torn down because this ended up causing a problem........the rest, motor on!

[FL-Frank]

[67rustavenger]

Wheels, Sorry I called on you for the crush on the bits.

Frank, Look at the crushed bit with a magnifying glass. They likely have a brown reddish (Bakelite), or black (Plastic) tint to them.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[FL-Frank]

[viiking]

It's not magnetism per se but electrostatic attraction that you see.

Bakelite and plastics are very poor conductors and can pick up electrostatic charge resulting in what appears to be very small magnetic charge.

If you remember rubbing a black plastic rod with a cloth vigorously in school science lessons and then attracting a stream of water magically towards that black rod, you now know what attraction there is between bakelite and the molecules of water!

Don't fret. The bakelite itself has NO metal in it.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[FL-Frank]

[kendricksoares]