BMW Repair: Stray tube found in BMW oil pan, pan gasket, spring washers

Question
Hi,

I recently purchased a 1989 525i; it has 280,000 miles.  While I was in the process of changing the oil pan gasket, I found a surprise in the bottom of the oil pan. There was a steel tube 3 and 9/16 inches long and it is approximately 5/32 wide. It has a tiny dimple on each end and they look like the dimples are part of the design because they line up almost perfectly.  The tube has a slight bend in it (seemingly unnatural)and some small scars on it.

It maybe important to note, the pan has been removed before since seven of the pan bolts do not the metric spring washers on them.  Also, you should know I have not completely removed the pan.  The previous gasket did not have Permatex on it and it came off cleanly.  I cleaned and polished the surfaces with solvent and was getting ready to bolt on the pan when I decided to run my hand in the pan to check for any grit or foreign matter as a precaution.  

The only thing I can figure is it might belong in the bigger tube that hangs down in to the deep part of the passenger side of the pan (This is on the opposite side of the oil level sensor.) (I would guess the bigger tube is part of an oil pressure relief system or something.) Anyway the little tube slides up into this slightly larger tube and it is a close enough fit that it stays there. The bigger diameter tube seems to be slightly spring loaded and with the little tube inside of it, it looks like it would extend to the bottom of the pan.

Although I cannot be positive, I suspect the little tube has been laying in the pan for quite some time.  The only adverse engine problems were the leaking pan gasket and an intermittent hesitation that lasts less than two seconds occasionally.  I highly doubt they are related.

The previous owner thought the intermittent stall-like problem occurred more in damp weather and had new plugs, wires, and cap installed to no avail.  For example, I have found it when coming over the crest of a hill with the cruise engaged; it is almost like the instant it backs off the throttle a bit is when it more likely to occur. It is not under a heavy load. The tach rarely moves when it happens and the check engine light flashes in the blink of an eye, which is how long the problem lasts. No codes seem present; however, I do not have the sophisticated BMW test equipment.  

Finally, a couple of easy questions:  
Do I torque the pan bolts to 7 foot pounds?
Do you know the approximate torque of the four bell housing bolts and the four star-drive bolts in the back?
Any help would be appreciated, especially about the little tube.  What a surprise, I never expected to find something like that in the pan.

Rob


Answer
The oil pan bolts torque to 7 ft. pounds.
The bell housing bolts torque to 38 ft. pounds.
The stray tube, without actually seeing it, I couldn't say for sure.  I do know that it obviously should not be just laying there.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help.