found a ball bearing after an oil change

[bobs280i]

As the title reads, after a oil change i found a ball bearing in the used oil , something drop out off the oil filter when i removed it , any ideas on where it could have came from ? it's about 8mm round ! ( a bit worried) cheers lads

[Boosted LS1]

It may be a filter bypass.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=oil+filter+bypas...

Have you looked upwards into the filter housing to see if the ball bearing could have been a gallery blanking plug?

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Sunday 2nd July 16:55

[adam quantrill]

8mm - from a bicycle bottom bracket bearing?

I lost one of those brass ferrules from a rubber rocker gasket down there, and it took 3 oil changes before it finally emerged down the other end, undamaged.

Largish metal parts can live in the sump for quite a while and won't do any harm.

[bobs280i]

Thanks ... i won't worry about it then

[phillpot]

adam quantrill said:

Largish metal parts can live in the sump for quite a while and won't do any harm.

True, but I'd still be concerned as to where it came from?

[kev b]

Sounds a bit large for this but could it be from a socket extension or ratchet?

Are any of your tools magnetic and could it have been stuck to them?

Somebody playing a practical joke?

[bobs280i]

practical joke i don't think so ... something definitely drop out off the oil filter , i took it out for a good drive and had no issues... i won't lose any sleep over it , as i feel the engine could do with a rebuild , hopefully not this year , have a great time to all going to the BBWF

[Harewood2806]

Wr have also just done an oil change on a PW80 and found a ball bearing. Should we be concerned?

[mrzigazaga]

Didn't think there were any ball bearings in engines?...I would be worried where it came from too...

[Wedgehead]

From the filter or pan ?

[Tasmin200]

This is ringing a vauge bell from a childhood spent in my dad's garage. Is there a oil pressure valve or something in the oil pump that has a ball bearing in there ?

I might be worth a phone call to an engine builder who's familiar with the Cologne.

[Steve_D]

Don't know on this engine but some oil filters have an internal pressure relief valve which may contain a ball bearing.

Steve

[Sireatalot]

You could have a chat with Interpro based in Thornbury - near Bristol.
They have worked on my 280i Cologne and the chaps know them off the back of their hand.

[bobs280i]

well after 2 years have past and it’s all good n still driving about !
but still a mystery ?