When I removed my oil pan I found several pieces of metal. Most of them where like those in the image. Does anyone have any idea what they are and where they might have come from?

 

Those were your thrust bearings. Likely cause: http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/pulley.htm

 

I had the front cover and oil pan gaskets replaced about 1 year ago. About 8 months ago a compression test showed that the rear rotor was low. Then it died. Could this be a result of replacing the gaskets?

 

Who changed out your front cover gasket?

 

The Mazda dealership.

 

Most likely the bearing dropped from its perch on the spacer when the gaskets were replaced. It's a major pain to work on stuff under the front cover with the engine installed in the car.

As for this ultimately causing compression loss on the rear rotor - it doesn't seem likely. How many miles are on it, and is it a turbo or NA?

 

About 50,000 miles. Its a 13B in an FD. I was just curious if this was another reason to go back to the dealership and bitch about their incompetence again.

 

Jester with no thrust left the end float will allow the rotor to touch the side plate. Often the corner seal gets smacked in and stays in, causing compression loss

If you are lucky the side plate will just have a 'hotspot' from the rubbing, at worst the plate will be gouged & need replacing. Nasty.

 

Interesting...I hadn't thought of that one.



Check out the oil pump too - it's been passing shrapnel.

 

pick up tube wouldn't let those pieces pass.



unless you're refering to something else