Sump Surprise - What is it?

[michaeljc]

I am interested to know what this item is that I found inside the sump, amidst the sludgy bits, of my 2 litre engine. It is about 10mm long.   

[Neil Choi]

It's the connecting link in your timing chain, you best not to start the motor and take cam cover off and check the chain.  Probably at some time during a change of something, whoever might have dropped the link.  But check.

[Lindsay_palmer]

Yes, it's from the timing chain. Does it have any wear marks on it? I found the same piece when doing my last oil change, I removed the cam cover and inspected both chains while dad turned the motor over by hand. No links missing, my extra link had no wear marks at all so was likely dropped when the timing chain was fitted (top chain) and replaced with another.