I received a new owners welcome gift in my oil filter.

[crenca]

@Vynull , I was going to say what @BroncoChallenger mentioned: This is left over manufacturer machining that got past inspection, and was still there when the inattentive person (or robot ) screwed it in at the Ford Factory.

I would add that this might not have been the only piece, indeed I find it as likely as not that there were smaller pieces that could have been on the surface when the filter was originally screwed in. In that sense I am more pessimistic about there being some of this metal in your block/pan then most in this thread.

That said, even then I think it would very very likely that it will not be an issue - probably will never even be the source of small wear let alone a major failure.

That said, what a F&^%ing bummer!!

Also don't you just love the bullshite signal-to-noise ratio of this forum?

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[timhood]

After sleeping on it, I suppose the only thing to do is drive it and get an oil analysis. If it blows up, it will be very hard to deny a warranty claim with the issue documented. I'm still pissed, but as they say - don't cry over spilled milk.

Hope you know I was just busting your chops about the salvage/buyback post. I'm sure it was a shock to see, and initial thoughts are probably going to the worst-case scenario, but as time goes on and nothing becomes an issue, you'll mentally get past it. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to file a case with Ford and maybe hope for an extended warranty on the engine. (I have no experience with that, and frankly, I'll doubt they would bite, but it's always worth a shot.)

 

[dougcjohn]

That most certainly came with the Oil Filter. That's manufacturing trimming no question. As @Sparkherd stated... the center hole is the Filter's Out Port, the Side holes are the In Ports.
These lengthy scraps didn't pass through a 10-20 micron filter element, so they arrived with the Filter within the main chamber.

Worst case scenario, that length / size scrap piece couldn't make it into engine. The route from the Oil Filter to Engine galleries and smaller routes throughout the engine. It couldn't make it into the first gallery due to the bends / Tee's. At the most it may have entered the mouth of the Oil Filter Mount, and partially blocked oil flow. Those are machine cut trimming scraps from can, smaller pieces aren't likely.

Verify... Take photos or even video... cut the filter can open. You can still give the cut open filter to Ford if you insist. Inspect the Filter element, you should find a few smaller metal flakes (aluminum, brass, copper) from the New Engine break-in. If you see anything larger in greater quantity... capture it in Photos and Video. It'd have to be pretty small to get past the Oil Pickup screen. Look in Drained Oil for additional metal bits.

IF nothing found, move on to monitoring next few Oil Changes then let it go... all good.
Although insure Ford Shop makes a note in your Bronco's Service file and retain the photos and video with reference to Ticket number that references the incident.

 

[itwelder]

Good question. There is very slight magnetism to the strips. definitely not steel based, some kind of alloy.

Based on that info, it's 300-series stainless steel, which is the only kind that is "slightly" magnetic. So it did not come from the filter itself - there is no SS in those filters. And as others mentioned, due to size, location, etc. my guess is that it came from the filter mounting boss, which is typically stainless steel. Which would mean that it was sandwiched in there during assembly and just sat there waiting to surprise you.

 

[MayhemMike]

Years and years ago I was a young man and I replaced the distributor on my 1970 Mach 1. Looking for top dead center on cylinder one with a short pencil I dropped it into the cylinder. I still have the Mach 1 and it runs fine. I guess the eraser and metal band were no match for the combustion of the mighty 351. You will be fine.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

Your Bronco has worms.

In cars, they look like metal. Nothing to be embarrassed about. A little Ivermectin in the next tank of gas will clear em out.

 

[gbub]

Based on that info, it's 300-series stainless steel, which is the only kind that is "slightly" magnetic. So it did not come from the filter itself - there is no SS in those filters. And as others mentioned, due to size, location, etc. my guess is that it came from the filter mounting boss, which is typically stainless steel. Which would mean that it was sandwiched in there during assembly and just sat there waiting to surprise you.

That is what I was thinking. The machined surfaces of the filter mounting boss look suspiciously like the metal strip in the filter. I am sure that is CNC machined and that strip of metal got wedged in there and over looked when inspected. I doubt they do a 100% inspection anyway.

 

[Iceman62]

Sucky deal indeed & keep us updated on what the dealer says/does.

 

[Sparkherd]

A piece of metal like that (which is aluminum) is 100% from machining of the oil filter adapter that didn't wash out when it went through the final cleaning before being shipped to assembly. It was likely 'wedged' in there where it couldn't be seen with a quick eyeball inspection, so it passed. It is on the feed to the filter side, so it wouldn't have traveled through the motor at all.

The holes on the OUTSIDE of the filter are the feed (pressure) side.
The center hole is the outflow of the filter into the oil system.
I had this wrong for decades, until I hooked up a remote oil filter/cooler system on the 466 built for my F-250.

 

[dougcjohn]

The holes on the OUTSIDE of the filter are the feed (pressure) side.
The center hole is the outflow of the filter into the oil system.
I had this wrong for decades, until I hooked up a remote oil filter/cooler system on the 466 built for my F-250.

Ha! I think most young growing Techs had that backwards.
Thus the old debate on pre-filling an Oil Filter... many got upset because we'd pour fresh clean oil down the Outlet introducing possible contamination. Always something to debate I guess.

 

[NCCarguy]

I can not see any way that piece of metal has travelled thru any moving part on that engine. That looks like it's a strip of metal from the filter, like something that was attached to the filter basket itself. I'd be a little concerned if I saw that, but I will say again, that metal has not travelled thru that engine.

 

[Dave2020GT]

Man, I was so stoked to perform my first oil change today at 1278 miles! 2026 Heritage 2.3 7MT. My FIRST EVER brand new car.

I read the oil thread and the other one about the change in filters for 2025+ MY MPC engines. I settled on Valvoline 5w30 Advanced protection full synthetic and carquest premium extended protection filter based on the excellent feedback.

As I am pulling off the factory filter, I see a glint of metal. My heart sinks. And then I pull a strand of metal probably as long or longer than my phone out of the oil feed for the filter. WTF. I have been working on cars since I was 12 (I am 38) and never, ever seen anything like this in my life.

I stopped mid oil change and called Ford customer relations. Nice girl, could offer zero advice or help other than call your dealership and i'll notate your file. Again, WTF!? Pics for reference

I looked in the oil feed with my borescope and could see no evidence of anything further up the passage. There is nothing obviously wrong as you can see above. But how will I ever be sure that this motor isn't going to grenade while I have my wife and kids inside?

I am truly heartbroken. Not sure whether to initiate a buyback or have the dealer take it for months and replace the motor. I'm sure if they do that it will never be right again. I JUST FINISHED kilmatting the trunk floor, just got my procal in and was going to do the tune tonight. NOT ANYMORE! F#$%%@

Those are performance additives.

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