Soft Plastic Debris on Oil Filter

Hi everyone. I am looking for some advice / suggestions in regard to my 996 engine. I have a 1999 C2 with the 6spd MT. In January 2021 at 154,300 KM I changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. The car has the original style filter housing with cartridge filter. All went well with no issues. While on jacks I noticed that there was a small weep / leak from where the engine and transmission mate. The leak is so small that it does not drip on to the ground, just causes some wetness on the car. After I finished putting everything together I followed it up by cutting apart the filter cartridge and inspecting it for other contaminants. I found several (30 � 50) caramel brown colored chunks of various sizes up to 1 cm (1/2 inch) long. The material is soft to the touch and very pliable. Definitely not what I would call hard and brittle. I did not see any large bits of metallic debris. With the various tales of IMSB and Tension Pad woe, I am concerned that the brown chunks I found might be an indicator of impending doom. Questions What could be the possible sources of a soft caramel brown plastic? It has the feel of a silicone sealant. What type of sealant is normally used on the bearings? On my research I see black hard rubber seals in the pictures and videos. The debris that I found is definitely not black or hard rubber. What other tests could help me search for the source? I did not drop the pan, but could do so. My current plan is to put on a 1000 KM and then drain the oil, check the filter and drop the pan. I want to see if the problem is getting worse. If all looks OK at that point, I would likely repeat that process in another 4000 KM. It is going to be a lengthy process as winter is here in Atlantic Canada and driving days are infrequent. Thanks in advance jb In case it helps, here is the history of it as I know: In August 2020 I purchased a 1999 C2 that had 152, 300 KM (94,600 miles) on the odometer. I assume that the car has its original engine. I am the fourth owner. I got an incomplete set of service records from the car�s past. The records indicate some maintenance plus major work including: July 2015 - 117,600 KM. Owner 2 - Brought to the dealer due to code P1531. Dealer replaced Bank 1 solenoid hydraulic valve (cam adjustment). Owner 2 - requested that the IMS Bearing and RMS be replaced. Dealer noted that the RMS had been �previously updated�. An �IMS Double Roll� was installed. June 2012 - 108,330 KM. Owner 2 - brought to the dealer to replace the spark plugs and serpentine belt. March 2010 - 92,300 KM. Owner 2 - brought to the dealer to replace the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and RMS. June 2009 - 86,300 KM Owner 1 - brought to the dealer to remove the roll bar and harnesses. June 2007 - 78,800 KM. Owner 1 - brought to the dealer to replace a cracked coolant reservoir. January 1999. Owner 1 - purchased car new.

Post pictures of what you found if you can. I'm sure you will get some responses from more knowledgeable folks than me. Best of luck.

I�ve researched this a bunch. Most probable cause is the variocam chain pads if it�s brown. Green seems to be the variocam actuator piston seal. I had green debris in mind at my last oil change and am having the engine pulled later this winter for some work.

The vario-cam chain tensioners are going to be brown(ish - depending how old they are. They start off as a sort of off white color that turns caramel brown from heat and oil over time). They are however, not soft (nothing like silicone - if it's soft like silicone, it's most likely cam-cover sealant or case sealant etc... some people/mechanics just slather this stuff on - not good). There are other brown chain tensioner pads, but it's an opaque brown, and a little lighter than the cam chain tensioners.

Thanks for the replies so far. Here are some pics. The pictures are only one section of the filter. I cut the filter add stapled it to scrap 2x4 to allow for better inspection. The pictures show the worst and this represents about 10% of the entire length of the filter material. Small specs (1 mm and less) are evident on the remainder of the material. For some reason my work light was throwing different colors at me - the first two pics are of the same chunks of plastic. I also noticed 2 or 3 flecks of hard black plastic which I assume may be from the IMS Tensioner Pad.

Is that the filter that was in the car when you purchased it? This filter could have been installed after a bad pan reseal. I would drop the pan now and make sure the pickup isn't being obstructed by more of this material. Dropping the pan really should be mandatory for any newly acquired M96 engine, really preferable to have it done before you buy it.

I do notice that the larger plastic fragments have a U Channel shaped cross section. If it was surplus gasket material I would not expect such a cross section. Am I over thinking this, or could the cross sectional shape of the fragment help to indicate where it might be from? Thanks jb