particles in oil filter

[cgates30]

I have a type 4 engine that was split to reseal the case to stop an oil leak. In doing that, the engine was fully disassembled and then put back together. With it back together I'm now hearing something that sounds like it is deeper in the engine than the valve train. I pulled on the cooling fan and can't feel any slack in the crank. I cut open the oil filter and saw a few flakes. My gut tells me this isn't good, but I don't have any reference point. Can folks here give me some ideas about these flakes (non magetic) and how to proceed next?
Thanks

IMG_0755.jpg

[Clatter]

If i had to guess- maybe check the thrust surface of your cam bearings?

Been some of those known to flake apart…

[cgates30]

Are there any recommended ways to inspect the inside of the engine without disassembling it? Do people use those bore scopes on Amazon with any success?

[Bruce.m]

Being type4, you can remove the rockers, pushrods, pushrod tube and then pull the lifters. That gives you some access for a bore scope but you’ll be lucky to diagnose any interest problems without breaking apart the case.

Do you replace any bearings etc or literally just reseal the case? Either way what sealer did you use?

[cgates30]

Well, it was a split and reseal. I didn't replace any parts since the previous build didn't have many miles but the case was leaking. Unless I get lucky and find something minor, it sounds like I should plan to rebuild again this winter. I'm eager to learn, so if there are any rules about reusing parts in a certain way, etc., then I'd like to learn about that.

[Bruce.m]

The reason for asking about the sealer.
Not sure if you have a lot of experience with aircooled flat4 engines. A common mistake is to use RTV to seal the crankcase halves & end up squeezing excess inside the case which sets & can end up somewhere restricting oil supply

[cgates30]

I don't have much experience with rebuilding engines at all. I need to check the sealant that I used, but I'm pretty sure it was not RTV. I'll check tonight. I could have used too much regardless, thinking more is better.

I don't know if this will influence your thoughts, but I noticed a small drip of oil from the flywheel end of the engine. My guess is it's from the seal (which was new).

Also, I filtered the oil that I drained from the engine through a coffee filter. There were less than a dozen particles like what was in the filter.

[Bruce.m]

Drip at flywheel is typically the radial oil seal failing but often that is due to roughness or grooves in the flywheel where is meets the seal lip. Can also be the cam bore plug, as it’s directly below the crankshaft & can be misdiagnosed as a leak from the flywheel seal.

Back to basics… which type4 engine type? Does it have hydraulic lifters or solid? Hydraulic lifters need to pump up with oil after a rebuild & can be clattering for 20mins or so until that happens.

[cgates30]

It's got solid lifters. This weekend I'm going to pull the pushrod tube and see what I can inspect of the bearings. Even if I see something, I doubt I can fix it without splitting the case, so it sounds like a project.