RE: Please recall LEED VALVE SHEET!! NEW DA 100
Jack,
I currently have two engines running steel reeds. One of them split early in it's life cycle. IMO, once you see that you have had a metal part break away inside an engine the only prudent thing to do is perform a teardown and inspect everything.
If a steel reed was to "flake" away very gradually I agree that it would not likely cause other damage. Screws and rocks and other large body hard materials can be a big problem if they get the opportunity to get under the crank and/or up the side of a piston. Bearing parts are a good example of what happens when things get loose inside the carnkcase.