[[email protected]]

This is my.02, and mine only.

Is it safe to assume that when they drop the pan, they will also unbolt the rods and mains to actually look at the bearings? If so, and the crank is not scuffed, you may want to think about rolling in new bearings while you are in there. Same thing if the cam shaft bearings are inspected.

Now if the gunk in the pan does not look like bearing material, ignore my commentary.

Did you possibly have any of the old oil left for a oil analysis? That would be my FIRST step before towing or pulling the pan. If you have a bearing breaking down, the oil analysis will show it. Sampling the new oil will not tell you anything.

I would concur Richard. I inspect bearings but they do not go back in, I replace them no matter. They are not that costly and the labor is the same, does not make sense to put the old bearings back in. 

What is throwing me off is the beads of copper, I will be very curios to see what they come up with that produced those. Chunks and fines are the more usual findings in the bottom of the pan when issues arise. 

I was also going to say get an oil analysis, that is a good idea. My oil sample is sitting at home I need to get it in the mail box and send it off. This will tell any number of things, moisture in the oil, the metal particles in the oil, lots of good info can come from an oil sample. Sometimes they can provide clues, sometimes it provide more questions.