Zumkopf

I have a '98 Audi A8 Quattro (D2). This weekend I found some grit in the flat container I use when I change the cars' oil. I had done three cars, so I didn't know which one it came from, so I started by dropping the oil pan on the Audi, which was the easiest job of the three. I found very little grit in the Audi's pan -- it was remarkably clean for 123k miles -- but I did find a few oblong pieces of grey plastic (?) about a quarter of an inch long. More alarming, I found a chrome flake, about an eighth of an inch (3mm) in diameter. Should I be worried about the flake, or would this be more or less expected in a car with 123k miles? Is there something I should be doing, now that I found this?

[FWIW, I checked the old oil filter, and didn't find any obvious flakes or grit in it.]

[Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but the A8 is my best car, and I worry about it.]

Thanks, Z
1998 Audi A8Q (D2) 123k mi
2004 Passat 4Motion
2004 Ford Freestar

Prospeeder

most of the time, a metal flake is from the oil pan threads, from over tightening and a small flake is shredded off. The peice of plastic might be somthing to worry about more than the flake. Timing chain tensioner pad or somthing.

tenspeed

Send a oil sample in to a oil testing lab. They will let you know what is floating around and where it usually comes from.