Long story short I dropped a washer into the intake tube while reinstalling my injectors. I used a remote camera to see where it is at, past the intake valve, sitting on top of what I think is the piston head. I tried everything from a magnet to a claw and nothing can make the amount of bends and keep the washer attached long enough to bring it all the way up. Is my only option to pull the valve covers and then pull the valves? What about trying a vacuum?
How To Retrieve Washer In Intake Valve?
- Thread starter Kirk_B
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Rock_Rat
Senior Member
Try a long piece of .032 wire and add a drop of gorilla glue on the end of it and guide it down to the washer. Hold long enough for the glue to dry and slowly retrieve. Have another piece of wire or claw or something readily available to "hook" into the washer. I don't think a vacuum is going to be strong enough.
EDIT: Might try gluing a small piece of a cotton ball or something with more substance to it at the end of the wire then dip it into the glue. If not I'm pretty sure the head will have to come off. Huge PITA for a washer.
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wake_rider
New member
Exactly my thoughts. Use one of those insanely strong button magnets glued and wedged inside of a piece of thin, flexible tubing, letting it sit out maybe .5mm beyond the edge of the tubing (so almost flush, but not quite). Let it dry so that there is no way that the magnet comes out of the tube, test it on your fridge, making sure that when you pull on the tubing, the magnet comes with it, then fish it down in there and see if it can pull it out. I have some of these little magnets on my fridge that are maybe 1/8'' wide, and these sucker are almost impossible to pull off with just your fingers. You have to either slide them to the edge, or get something to slip un underneath them to lift an edge that you can then grab ahold of.
If they were to touch a washer, I don't see them letting go.
Road Bull
Senior Member
Yeah, and if you use tubing, you might be able to use some small gauge wire/ insulated or other, to guide the tubing through the right bends. Or, just use the wire with the magnet. But I think something along those lines seems like the best bet.
That looks like it is sitting on the backside of the valve still.
I would use a magnet on the end of a length of piano wire as suggested.
It's gonna be REAL tricky because if you make one wrong move - it'll end up in the cylinder.
How large is the washer? Will it fit through the spark plug hole?
If you have GIANT BALLS - you could pull the spark plug and install an airline fitting - then add shop air and see if the washer flies out... Actually - my balls are not that big and I might still be inclined to try it...
BIG LESSON for everyone here - Put TAPE securely over the lower manifold ports as SOON as the upper intake comes off.
Yesterday I installed new injectors and had to remove my supercharger TWICE on the same job because the threads pulled out on the "long bolt" - not coincidentally it was one of the last damn things I tightened so I had to do the whole job over. I had to drill and tap and helicoil the bolt hole so I duct taped it up good first (I did duct tape it the first time too BTW).
I would use a magnet on the end of a length of piano wire as suggested.
It's gonna be REAL tricky because if you make one wrong move - it'll end up in the cylinder.
How large is the washer? Will it fit through the spark plug hole?
If you have GIANT BALLS - you could pull the spark plug and install an airline fitting - then add shop air and see if the washer flies out... Actually - my balls are not that big and I might still be inclined to try it...
BIG LESSON for everyone here - Put TAPE securely over the lower manifold ports as SOON as the upper intake comes off.
Yesterday I installed new injectors and had to remove my supercharger TWICE on the same job because the threads pulled out on the "long bolt" - not coincidentally it was one of the last damn things I tightened so I had to do the whole job over. I had to drill and tap and helicoil the bolt hole so I duct taped it up good first (I did duct tape it the first time too BTW).
Paperjam
New member
Definately try putting compressed air down there with a compression/leak down tester to blow it back. Have a magnet there to try and catch it. BE SURE to lock the crank from turning somehow, because the added pressure may turn the engine over and make things worse.
Next best option is to pull the head.
One of the techs in my shop destroyed a 4.3 just last week doing this.... Don't screw around if that falls in.
Next best option is to pull the head.
One of the techs in my shop destroyed a 4.3 just last week doing this.... Don't screw around if that falls in.
LittleCaesar
New member
Have you tried a claw through the spark plug hole, or is the washer too big to fit through it?
I have this one's older brother:
DPTC24, Pick-up Tool, Flexible, Four-Claw, 24" long
Is the washer even magnetic? If it is a foot or less in there, this would help:
http://www.amazon.com/LABOR-SAVING-DEVICES-Noodle-Retriever/dp/B00009WE0H
I have this one's older brother:
DPTC24, Pick-up Tool, Flexible, Four-Claw, 24" long
Is the washer even magnetic? If it is a foot or less in there, this would help:
http://www.amazon.com/LABOR-SAVING-DEVICES-Noodle-Retriever/dp/B00009WE0H
white_n_slow
Senior Member
Hahaha, sorry to laugh at your misfortune, but I have been there before with one of my old hondas. Dropped an aligning dowel down an oil passage and had to tear the motor apart to find it (no borescope). Eventually, after much cajoling and disassembly, I found it in the oil pan windage tray.
I like the flexible something with a magnet on the end idea. I don't think a vacuum will work, but it's worth a shot. I feel like compressed air will just make it drop down further (looks like it's resting on the top of the valve?).
Ultimately, you may just have to pull the head. :/
I like the flexible something with a magnet on the end idea. I don't think a vacuum will work, but it's worth a shot. I feel like compressed air will just make it drop down further (looks like it's resting on the top of the valve?).
Ultimately, you may just have to pull the head. :/
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
If that washer is aluminum, no amount of magnets will ever bring it out. I can't remember if those crush washers on the fuel rail are copper or aluminum, if that's the washer that was dropped in.
LittleCaesar
New member
I forgot I remember once I saw a guy take some chewing gum, cut a wire coat hanger, stick the gum to the end of the wire and then retrieved a bolt in an old tractor engine.
If the washer isn't magnetic, and I doubt it is, this may be a pre head pulling idea.
If the washer isn't magnetic, and I doubt it is, this may be a pre head pulling idea.
Yeah, I didn't even think that it might be an aluminum crush washer off the rail...
If that's the case, the compressed air trick might be your only hope.
Just make sure you cover EVERY other ole it might drop back into when it lands.
ALSO - I hope you haven't rotated the engine because that would pinch the washer in there - or allow it to drop.
If that's the case, the compressed air trick might be your only hope.
Just make sure you cover EVERY other ole it might drop back into when it lands.
ALSO - I hope you haven't rotated the engine because that would pinch the washer in there - or allow it to drop.
Rock_Rat
Senior Member
SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
This may sound crazy but if u tie a magnet onto a piece of string drop down the hole should resolve your issue.
I did finally get it out. I had to pull the intake manifold, use the inspection camera, and use a piece of safety wire fashioned into a hook. It was like a doctor performing surgery, nerve-racking!
