Metal on drain plug magnet

[LargeSarge]

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.

 

[OR VietVet]

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]

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.

 

[LargeSarge]

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.

 

[rockola1971]

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]

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

 

[OR VietVet]

Good luck with the refund. Anyone that misrepresents an engine and vehicle like that, will be shady as hell. I hope you come out ok.

 

[Doubeleive]

Change oil and filter, recheck in 500 miles

 

[swathdiver]

Two crummy engines. I'd take them apart, pick the best one and rebuild it. First part of rebuild is to send block, crank and heads to machine shop to make sure they are good to go.

 

[RaiderRodney]

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!?

 

[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.