Found A Piece Of Spring...
 

We just changed the oil due to a oil cooler problem with my 3406e cat motor. The spring was attached to the drain plug. It appears to be part of a spring. A first I was told it was a valve spring, then I was told by another guy that don't worry about it that it was a jake break spring a it was common on these motors... he said just run it. I have good oil pressure (45-50psi) water temp about 170, never overheated the motor, no unusually noises, motor appears to run good. Valve covers were pulled off and checked no missing parts... any comments? besides to get rid of the truck.

Thanks

Take the piece to Cat and ask them what it is, there is NO such thing as a "extra" part, find out EXACTLY what it belongs to, or you might end up with bigger problems.

I had a spring break in the jake and I was told it could jam the intake valve open, so I had Cat fix it.