QuestionQUESTION: Hello Mike,I recently found ball bearings in retainer on the magnetic drain plug in the pan. Where are they from? It's a dodge 1990 deisel truck 250.Thanks. Kim
ANSWER: Let me get this straight, you found little metal spheres, ball bearings, attached to the magnetic drain plug in the oil pan of your Cummins diesel engine? And a piece of retainer, that is two metal straps welded together with gaps for the balls to fit into? Or was it part of a snap ring or e-ring? And here, most importantly, is the big question: it still runs normally, without any unusual additional noise? Are you sure they weren't roller bearings (little metal cylinders)? Those I might be able to explain.
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QUESTION: Hello again,Yes, it still runs normally with no unusual noise.There were no needles that I could see.Ball was 5/16 approx. It wasnt part of the snap ring or e ring. It was a piece of retainer and sounds as if when I tap the pan theres more loose parts.Where do think they are coming from, oil pump drive? Thanks again, Kim
Answer I am afraid that I know very little about the Cummins engine, except that they have a reputation for sturdiness and trouble-free operation. That said, I have heard that the version they were selling to Chrysler had to have some quality corners cut in order to be affordable. I doubt if it has anything to do with the oil pump drive, but it may be from the injection pump drive, or the camshaft drive. It also might be part of something used to control endplay on the cam or crank, but I doubt it. If I was you, I would drain the oil again, and fish around in there with a piece of wire and try to drag a few more of those parts out through the hole. Then, I would go to the nearest Dodge dealer, find out who is the best diesel mechanic there (they might not have one, in which case search out an independent shop that works on trucks or motor homes) and offer to buy him lunch if he'll look at the parts you have and tell you what they are and whether or not to worry about them. Most of these guys are very willing to share if approached in the right way, but don't talk to the owner of the shop, or the service manager if it's a dealership, as they will see this as cutting into their potential profit. Talk to one of the gofers out in the lot to find out which mechanic to talk to, they might not be trusted to change oil, but they will know all the scuttlebutt about who knows what he is doing and who doesn't. Lastly, you don't have an friend or enemy who might have dropped these into the crankcase via the oil filler just to freak you out, do you? I have seen much worse. Wish that I could be more help
