I was thinking that as well. The beads probably got into the baffles through the breather ports and started to come back out during WOT. The question still is - why did this not happen in Levar's hands? Unfortunately the damage is probably done and the motor needs to be taken apart. Sorry man.

 

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Arti...g_failure.aspx

 

Yep. I had a friend that lost a new motor due to bead in the baffles. When I did mine, I put it through the dishwasher like 5 times even thought I took the baffles out .

 

I wish I would have known about this. I am seriously contemplating just selling the car once I get home.

 

did you pull off the valve cover? if it's off pull a few cam bearings off and see if they are damaged.

 

"Cam bearings..."

Do you have a diagram of where they are located?

 

No cam bearings in the head. Wish I could say something to steer you away from selling the car but I had a nightmare with a poorly assembled built engine from a vendor and built it myself. Lots of fun but sometimes there's no other option but to sell and hopefully come across another later on.

 

I meant the cam cap that hold the cams down in the head. remove a few and remember where they came off. and look at underside see if the bearings look damaged.

 

I posted this in your FS thread. "You should probably pull the intake pipe off and check the turbo for shaft play. I have seen it twice with lower end bearings going, took out the turbo also. One even had the FP filter on it."

If there is metal floating around in the motor, I am sure the turbo is damaged. Especially if it was ran for along time with bad bearings. I am curious to know if the turbo is damaged and I am sure your potential buyer would like to know also.

 

I was initially told by the owner of the shop where I left the car while I was out of town that there were "shavings" on the dip stick (of all places). I checked yesterday and there was absolutely nothing on the dip stick nor was there any grainular residue on my fingers. I even put my hand through the same oil container I used when I changed my oil 2-3 days before I took the car and there was nothing there (minus oil of course). I even have a magnet that I plan to run through the container later this week to further confirm things. My next step after that is to drop the oil pan as there has been nothing. I will take off the intake pipe after all of these measures are verified.

 

I am tracking now. The valve cover was removed and there was no sign of anything besides the usual oil in the head.

 

can you post some pics of the cam cap bearings? was it making any weird noise at all? when my oil pressure switch died the light would flash, usually if it's that low it would sound terrible. I just replaced the switch and never had an issue again. does you car have a Fuel pressure gauge? seems odd that it happened while he was driving.

 

That sucks. If there was "shavings on the dipstick" there sure the hell would be metal in the oil that you drained. Your best bet is to just pull the pan and inspect the bearings. Sucks that you have to do that but it will help sell the car if the potential buyer knows mostly what it needs.

Hope you figure everything out. I know the feeling of having a dead motor when it should not be.

 

so did you pull off any of the cam caps and check for damage?

 

Breaks my heart to see the for sale ad, man. Best of luck with everything!