Debris in oil

I thought I posted this already but realized I forgot to fill in the 'subject' line, so I don't know where the post went.

Anyway, I did an oil change on my 1981 LTD1000 and when I removed the oil drain bolt, the cavity of the bolt was full of bits and pieces of what looks like red plastic.

Could this material be from the cam chain guides?

Anyone seen something like this before?

Is this stuff hard or rather soft? Could be bits of silicon from previous improper sealing.

Most of the pieces are rather small bits, but there are some larger pieces, almost a 1/4 inch in diameter and flat, and those pieces are hard.

I'll get some pics later, with my antique digital camera, and see if I can post em.
Right now I am about to ride down the road to a friends house, but I'll be back.

I wonder if it came out of an oil filter?

hey! i didn't think of that. I did the oil change today, but I didn't change the filter. I'll pick one up next time I am up in Lebanon, but I don't get up there that often and they're calling for snow this weekend.
The engine does have a lot of wear so I went from a 10-40 to a 20-50 oil and it does sound ok when i ride it.

I was having a problem with the #4 cylinder cutting out. On occasion #4 and #1 would both cut out but often, on a long ride, I'd find myself running on three cylinders.
Last week I replaced all of the spark plug caps and replaced all of the spark plug cables with copper wire cored cable and now she seems to be running nice. Havent had a cylinder cut out all week!

If I may suggest, pick up a Wix or a Napa Gold filter, don't get one of those orange ones. Both these brands also come with the o-rings and are a much better price than OE filters at the dealership.



PS: Wix part # for your bike is 24941

Thanx Bob! Now where do I find Wix?

Any good auto parts store should sell Wix filters. Here is a link to their website. they have a "WHERE TO BUY" tab you can use.

tinyurl.com/Wix-Filters

Great. I know where there's a NAPA store just fifteen miles from here. I could hit it tomorrow.
Thanx again!