I have a 2002 996 Targa with 99K miles. I've had it for 4-1/2 years and have been changing my own oil over the last 2-1/2 years with Oil analysis. For the first time under my ownership, I dropped my sump pan this oil change and found some Chain Guide material. See attached pictures. No metal particles in pan and oil filter. In fact, there were no particles of any type in the filter which I was pretty happy about. I've been using Porsche Classic oil and my oil analysis numbers have been improving over the last 2-1/2 years. Over the last 2-1/2 years that I have be looking at the filter, I've found minimal very small brown particles in oil filter, but none approaching the sizes in the pan. I'd like to know if this is an excessive amount of chain guide particles warranting a change in the guides, and what other signals I should look out for requiring a change in guides. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks,

 

That looks like a significant amount of chain gourd material to me.
it obviously didn’t make it to the filter as the particles are to large to go over the oil pick up tube screen.
what are your cam divination readings?

 

It's more likely the guide under variocam actuator. If that is the case, you at least can repair that without having to split the engine.

 

Cam deviations between banks 1 & 2 were less than 6 degrees when I checked a couple of weeks ago. I believe they were 4 deg apart. I don't recall what the exact numbers were.

 

Good “timing” for you then.

 

This is a 2002 model which is the M96.03 three chain engine that doesn't have the wear pads with the VarioCam actuator like the 5-chain, but instead has a rotary vane pump to adjust intake camshaft VVT. The chain guides on the M96.03 are solid black and so this translucent brownish rubber is something else like excess sealant IMHO. I would still be concern about the 4 degrees of camshaft deviation.

 

The material is hard plastic. It doesn't appear to be a sealant. Thanks for the input.

 

Then you’re right, probably chain rail material. You must have the rails with the white translucent pads. Over time from exposure to heat and engine oil, they turn brown in color.

 

Probably came from here, bank 1 chain guide... They start out new as white but turn brown after years of hot oil useage..

Yes this is from a 3 chain engine...

 

My 997 engine is in pieces right now and that very same chain guide is worn out showing a lot of scoring on the plastic. Although I did not find any pieces in the oil like the OP did. It is more involved to change this chain guide, but if you do not want to change the chains, then you still can do it without splitting the case.

However, I did find the chain guides on the IMS chain to also need replacement and that does require splitting the case. Those two guides are black in color, not light brown.

 

yelcab nailed it. Two of the guides have black wear pads and two have the translucent white plastic material when new which turns brown over time.

I went to the garage and dug out mine that have been in a box for almost 2 years. As you can see in the close up image. The end of the brown wear surface was beginning to chip off. This explains what the OP is seeing in the sump.

Hope this helps!

 

Thank you all for your input! After 99K miles, I guess this is a wear item and needs addressing.

Thanks again!