Metal on drain plug magnet

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LargeSarge

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I bought a 2006 used 5.3 engine with 74,000 miles. It comes with a one-year warranty. Pulled the oil pan plug and this is what I found. Am I being paranoid or do you think I might be in trouble?

The rest of the engine looks great. Hardly any varnish. The bottom end is nice and clean. I took one of those endoscope cameras and looked around. It looks really healthy but this has me a bit worried.

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OR VietVet

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Dirty oil and chunky. Looks like some bearing grit there. May not have been real good about oil change intervals and may have used nothing but conventional motor oil. I have seen synthetic oil with 25k miles on it that looked better than that sludge on that plug. It may turn out to be just fine but you are right to be concerned.
 

Joseph Garcia

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Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.
 
OP
OP
L

LargeSarge

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Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.
Truck is a 2005 GMC Yukon SLT with 188k miles. Seller got me good. Lied to me, deleted codes, and hid problems. Black markered over the ABS light is one of the many things he did. Long story but its a project now and I thought I have a decent motor to replace the one that is going out. I included some pics of the old motor that I am about to pull. The last pic is the 74k motor with the gunk on the oil drain plug magnet. Thanks for the welcome and help.
 

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rockola1971

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Well that engine was severely abused. Obviously the previous owner didnt get the oil changed much at all. With minor shavings on plug that would be normal but BRO! You got CHUNKS. That aint normal at all. That means that engine is on its way off to go be with god. Maybe not this month, maybe not in 3 months but it likely wont make it to next summer. It took alot of abuse to get those heads to look that bad.
 

ivin74

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Truck is a 2005 GMC Yukon SLT with 188k miles. Seller got me good. Lied to me, deleted codes, and hid problems. Black markered over the ABS light is one of the many things he did. Long story but its a project now and I thought I have a decent motor to replace the one that is going out. I included some pics of the old motor that I am about to pull. The last pic is the 74k motor with the gunk on the oil drain plug magnet. Thanks for the welcome and help.
I'll be asking for a refund, the engine is shit. With that much sludge, I bet the engine oil passages on the bearings and the block are plugged. Good luck
 

RaiderRodney

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Honestly, if it were me before I started with rebuilding I'd probably dump a bottle of seafoam in it and run it for a few miles and dump the oil. Fill her up with some budget (if there is such a thing these days) dino oil and add another bottle of seafoam for a few more miles. Then change out with your oil of choice, maybe some new plugs, and a good filter and see how she does.

Yes that is a ton of abuse but these engines are known for being bullet proof so why not see how long it can go!?
 

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