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Bought a mechanics special . He replaced the fuel pump and gave up. Scanned the codes and have 4 codes. My plan is first change the oil, then remove and test camshaft position sensor, then if it continues check VVT oil solenoid/ vvt actuator and timing chain …..any input , recommendations ?
Last edited by Revo39564; Mar 4, 2026 at 06:27 PM.
Reason: Didn’t complete post
You're sure it's plant material? Those fine screens are great at catching debris in the oiling system. Though this is all post-oil-filter, so there shouldn't be any debris at all unless the oil filter was completely clogged (the filter's over-pressure bypass operating) or the filter was defective (bypassing all the time). There's a bigger story here - oil was never changed, maybe a crank or rod bearing failed. Deliberate engine abuse?
I would immediately change the oil filter, run an oiling system flush product, change the oil and filter (again). Then get to doing a bunch of the maintenance/tune-up items like valve adjustment and induction cleaning. The amount of build-up on surfaces under the valve cover should tell you about the oil change history (the flush won't remove all of it).
Possibly. With any luck, the flakes are something soft enough to not damage the crank bearings. Clean it up without spending too much money - do health checks like compression and leak-down. Drive it a bit to see if it burns oil.
You're sure it's plant material? Those fine screens are great at catching debris in the oiling system. Though this is all post-oil-filter, so there shouldn't be any debris at all unless the oil filter was completely clogged (the filter's over-pressure bypass operating) or the filter was defective (bypassing all the time). There's a bigger story here - oil was never changed, maybe a crank or rod bearing failed. Deliberate engine abuse?
I would immediately change the oil filter, run an oiling system flush product, change the oil and filter (again). Then get to doing a bunch of the maintenance/tune-up items like valve adjustment and induction cleaning. The amount of build-up on surfaces under the valve cover should tell you about the oil change history (the flush won't remove all of it).
it was friable like bark and was also in engine compartment. Yeah already dumped oil and filter.will run and recheck solenoid. Next check valves and chain and guides. Pistons looked good with scope and compression tested ok.
Last edited by Revo39564; Mar 8, 2026 at 07:36 PM.
You're sure it's plant material? Those fine screens are great at catching debris in the oiling system. Though this is all post-oil-filter, so there shouldn't be any debris at all unless the oil filter was completely clogged (the filter's over-pressure bypass operating) or the filter was defective (bypassing all the time). There's a bigger story here - oil was never changed, maybe a crank or rod bearing failed. Deliberate engine abuse?
I would immediately change the oil filter, run an oiling system flush product, change the oil and filter (again). Then get to doing a bunch of the maintenance/tune-up items like valve adjustment and induction cleaning. The amount of build-up on surfaces under the valve cover should tell you about the oil change history (the flush won't remove all of it).
if it’s post filter, then the only thing I really could be would be the timing chain guides. It was soft . It wasn’tmetal. There’s no metal shavings at all anywhere.
it looks like a spool valve filter can fail and cause fragments as well. And some engine oil additives can damage them
I've never heard of that. Where are you getting this stuff? The chain guides are in the crank case, which is pre-pump and pre-filter.
My current thought is that the substance is oil-saturated vermiculite, which was used for oil spill cleanup. Still no idea how it got into the oiling loop, outside of an extremely careless mechanic.
I've never heard of that. Where are you getting this stuff? The chain guides are in the crank case, which is pre-pump and pre-filter.
My current thought is that the substance is oil-saturated vermiculite, which was used for oil spill cleanup. Still no idea how it got into the oiling loop, outside of an extremely careless mechanic.
If it’s anything like gardening vermiculite, it wasn’t definitely not that…..
it was a Honda oil filter those are domed internally a piece of pine bark fell down into the filter, changing it…… or maybe it’s some type of gasket from somewhere…..
or maybe the oil pump screen has a hole in it who knows……. maybe it was sludge buildup that carbonized./oxidized……. maybe on a prior filter the bypass valve was defective. The spoon filter was clear , zero build up …..
Last edited by Revo39564; Mar 9, 2026 at 02:59 PM.
Could be from a cheap oil filter left on too long. Cellulose filter material might have deteriorated and fallen apart. If the owner was going to sell it he might have then changed the oil and filter so it would look good to a prospective buyer, but the original debris never got cleaned out.
Could be from a cheap oil filter left on too long. Cellulose filter material might have deteriorated and fallen apart. If the owner was going to sell it he might have then changed the oil and filter so it would look good to a prospective buyer, but the original debris never got cleaned out.
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yeah, it could be. It was right under 5000 miles since its last oil change 5/5/25 at a Honda dealership with a Honda filter before that oil change placed used. I’ll pull the ortho an aid and recheck it for debris and see in a couple hundred miles or maybe pull the oil pan I’ll put it on the list of things. I’ve gotta do …. Lexus needs a valve cover gasket, minivan needs ball joints …… etc., etc.
You're sure it's plant material? Those fine screens are great at catching debris in the oiling system. Though this is all post-oil-filter, so there shouldn't be any debris at all unless the oil filter was completely clogged (the filter's over-pressure bypass operating) or the filter was defective (bypassing all the time). There's a bigger story here - oil was never changed, maybe a crank or rod bearing failed. Deliberate engine abuse?
I would immediately change the oil filter, run an oiling system flush product, change the oil and filter (again). Then get to doing a bunch of the maintenance/tune-up items like valve adjustment and induction cleaning. The amount of build-up on surfaces under the valve cover should tell you about the oil change history (the flush won't remove all of it).
after looking at the solenoid pic I think I figured it out. The previous owner of the car was dealing with a cylinder misfire they replaced one of the coil packs….. oddly enough on cylinder 1 not 4……. Box was in car. Then they paid a mobile mechanic who put in a fuel pump that didn’t help. At some point in this process someone pulled out that oil control solenoid, and contaminated it with a pine bark accidentally then put it back in, and the car would not start…… if you look closely at the picture, you can actually see plant material that would not have survived the oil circulation….. sad part is the misfire was easy. Don’t use autolight plugs.
Last edited by Revo39564; Mar 10, 2026 at 11:52 AM.
