Metal on drain plug magnet

[89Suburban]

WOW.

 

[Sam Harris]

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!?

Good thought.. and hopefully while he drives it, he can get the replacement engine rebuilt, and perhaps upgrade a few things..

 

[Doubeleive]

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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I am assuming the engine was shipped without any oil in? if so whatever clown drained the oil could have set the oil plug in or on anything and picked up that grit.
the ony way you are going to know for sure is to install it and change the oil after about 500 miles like I already stated.

 

[LargeSarge]

I think I suck at explaining things. The seller who hid the problems did not sell me the newer engine. I got it from a yard with a 1 year warranty. The black and gravy looking heads and valve covers are from the old engine that is in the truck now. I found the small metal particles on the oil drain plug magnet of the 74k mile engine that I just bought with the warranty. The first two pics are from the old engine that is still in the truck. The last 3 are from the newer 74k engine. The only red flag from the newer one is the metal that I posted pics of earlier. I used an endoscope to look under the windage tray and everything looks clean like the heads. I am refreshing gaskets aka oil pickup, oil pan, valve cover, and a few others. Then, I'll fill it up with my favorite synthetic oil, put a wix oil filter on it, and change the oil every 3k miles like I do my other vehicles. I guess we will see what happens. Thanks for all the replys and advice.

 

[LargeSarge]

I am assuming the engine was shipped without any oil in? if so whatever clown drained the oil could have set the oil plug in or on anything and picked up that grit.
the ony way you are going to know for sure is to install it and change the oil after about 500 miles like I already stated.

Yes the pan was empty. That is a possibility and gives me some hope.

 

[ivin74]

I think I suck at explaining things. The seller who hid the problems did not sell me the newer engine. I got it from a yard with a 1 year warranty. The black and gravy looking heads and valve covers are from the old engine that is in the truck now. I found the small metal particles on the oil drain plug magnet of the 74k mile engine that I just bought with the warranty. The first two pics are from the old engine that is still in the truck. The last 3 are from the newer 74k engine. The only red flag from the newer one is the metal that I posted pics of earlier. I used an endoscope to look under the windage tray and everything looks clean like the heads. I am refreshing gaskets aka oil pickup, oil pan, valve cover, and a few others. Then, I'll fill it up with my favorite synthetic oil, put a wix oil filter on it, and change the oil every 3k miles like I do my other vehicles. I guess we will see what happens. Thanks for all the replys and advice.

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Thanks for clarifying, the new to you used engine looks in great shape. Replace all the gaskets including the rear main seal and you should be good for another 100k miles.