What is this broken part in bottom of sump?

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by Fonant, Nov 11, 2018.

  1. Draining oil I found what initially looked like a broken thick washer, 2.5mm thick and perhaps 10mm inside diameter.

    I was worried it was something made from hardened steel that had shattered, but in fact it's brittle enough to snap with fingers. So now I'm thinking it's something rubber that has become hard from being in hot engine oil.

    Anyone have any ideas?

    Click to enlarge:
    20181111_131137a.jpg
     
  2. Looks like a valve stem seal. Not unknown for them to drop off. They don’t do much. Don’t worry about it.
     
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  3. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    Could it be the long plastic bit of the fuel pump. That stem thing? I only say this as it happened to me. It’s easy to check by taking off the fuel pump. I did it and it had shattered completely. Fitted a new one and a change of oil. Was as good as gold. Worth checking?
     
  4. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Its a valve stem seal or a well cooked Haribo calamari ring left over from one of those JK packets.
    Not really much use as the valve stems point mostly horizontally so oil does not leak so readily as on vertical engines.
    If you found most of the pieces on top of the strainer then there is no problem, as the strainer has been doing its job of stopping particles that could block up oil feeds in bearings.


    It wont be the petrol pump stand- that is a lot harder plastic.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2018
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  5. Valve stem seal, I'm pretty sure.

    http://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/vw-valves-guides-and-seals.html says:

    Volkswagen began using valve stem seals starting with, I think, the 1964 model year (i.e., engines produced after August of 1963). That's those little black donuts you find stuck to the screen when you do an oil change. That's right; those niffty ‘seals' get baked as hard as a bride's biscuits, break, and end up in the sump.​

    In which case I'm not going to worry too much.
     
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  6. Mike , you could have a one man stand up show


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  7. No, don't fret. VW deleted them as a Waste Of Time eventually.

    Bob Hoover's blogs always worth reading. RIP Bob.
     
  8. Dubs

    Dubs Sponsor supporter extraordinaire

    But more importantly, what is a Brides Biscuit? :thinking:
     
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  9. I think a biscuit baked by a first-time cook.
     
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  10. Dubs

    Dubs Sponsor supporter extraordinaire

    Ah, I see.
     
  11. Ginger nuts ?
     
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