Recently bought a F20C that had "unknown" issues and noticed metal shards in the oil pan.
In retrospect, I went through a similar experience when changing my oil on my car when I noticed metal shavings on the magnetic drain plug. Further investigation revealed a few finger nail sized metal shards in the filter.

Both engines are from a 2002 AP1 whilet the engine shown was yanked from failure...mine is still running strong at 24k miles with a supercharger...

Any ideas? Is this something that is common or am I due for a failure?

 

Not good. I'd try to get Billman to take a look at this photo and see what he thinks.

 

not common, probably due for failure.

 

Those aren't fingernail sizes pieces...

Looks like pieces of piston and bore liner.

 

bore liner? the frm thing? does that mean it needs to be resleeved? or wha? sorry, noob on these liner deals.

 

Could also be bearing material, eitherway it is time to pull it apart and inspect for damage.

 

Bearing material was my guess as well.

To clearify: Photo is from an already toasted motor I bought and am stripping-selliing everything but cams/crank/pistons/connecting rods.
Further investigation revealed #1 and #2 connecting rods are darker in color than #3 & #4. Engine still turns within spec when cranked by hand and torque wrench.

Could there be bushings or shims between the connecting rod and crank that has "blown off" during initial break in period?

These metal pieces are VERY thin. (Thinner than most turbo or supercharger impeller blades or about as thin as a fingernail)

I will try to find the images I took of MY engine to compare and share..

However have noticed smaller almost identical shards in my own oil a while ago, brought it in to Honda for evaluation, spoke to regional custmer service rep and was told they couldn not identify the problem, even when i supplied the filter showing metal particles the size of dust.

 

No

 

Are the bearings not usually a copper/goldy colour..???

My sump was fully of copper/goldy color filings when i spun my bearings...

 

rods bearings:



main bearings: