So I screwed up today...

[-mando-]

Alright, well I was changing my oil today which was all good and fine until I decided to clean up the engine bay a bit since it was filthy. Long story short, I dropped a screw somewhere in the bay. After spending significant time looking for it to no avail, I figured it would eventually work its way out.

Needless to say I was wrong since when I turned the engine on for the first time, it is hard to describe the sound, but it wasn't good. The screw was clearly somewhere where it could get eaten up by some component and as I turned the engine off I heard the thump on the bottom plate where I am assuming what was left over of the screw fell, but it was already dark and I couldn't see. What I could see was fluid from what now appears to be a leak of some sort splashed all over the engine bay and a slow drip underneath as well as small shavings from said screw (I'm assuming).

So a visit to the dealer/or shop is clearly in order for tomorrow. But my question to you all is if I should drive it or not even risk it and have it towed. The leak does not seem extremely bad as it wasn't a large amount dripping, however I am far from knowledgeable with these things and I really have no clue what kind of oil/fluid is leaking. I went ahead and turned the engine on once more after the initial time and it seems to be running smoothly aside from the leak. And yes, I feel like an total idiot for turning a simple oil change into this whole issue. Please take it easy on me.

 

[Morphyne]

Tow it. It'll be $60. Way less than any potential damage from driving it.

 

[vjack]

I don't see why you would risk driving it if it's leaking fluids.

Clearly worth paying for a tow, in my opinion. Do you not have AAA or roadside coverage through your insurance or one of your credit cards? Also my local Toyota dealership will pay for your tow if you call ahead and schedule it, i.e. it's not 24/7 roadside assistance.

(Maybe this would be a good time to sign up for AAA. If you look around you can find discounts to join, I think it costs me something like $40/yr for two people and it almost pays for itself with hotel & travel discounts.)

 

[77Bronc]

Pardon the question, but what were you taking apart and what part of the engine bay did it drop. What color was the fluid, oily? Watery?

And yes have it towed, do not drive it.

77

 

[<<<<]

Dropping the part in the engine bay is one thing but how the hell did you drop screw into the engine? At least that is how I read it. Any way it sounds bad. Tow it.

 

[-mando-]

Dropping the part in the engine bay is one thing but how the hell did you drop screw into the engine? At least that is how I read it. Any way it sounds bad. Tow it.

Dropped it into the engine bay, not the engine itself. Still having it looked at, found the screw when they put it on the lift and didnt look very beat up, which makes me question where the shavings came from, they are definitely from outside the engine and not coming out through the leak to clear that up. Definitely a leak coming from the crankshaft gasket area which they are going to replace, but they think it may be more than that.

Turns out the leak is coming from the timing cover, needs to be replaced.

 

[DARINnVA]

Dropped it into the engine bay, not the engine itself. Still having it looked at, found the screw when they put it on the lift and didnt look very beat up, which makes me question where the shavings came from, they are definitely from outside the engine and not coming out through the leak to clear that up. Definitely a leak coming from the crankshaft gasket area which they are going to replace, but they think it may be more than that.

Turns out the leak is coming from the timing cover, needs to be replaced.

:dammit:

I don't think that screw would cause your timing cover to leak. Sounds like it was just bad luck and coincidence. Hope it won't cost a lot to fix.

 

[simszero]

what color is the fluid?

 

[A/V1]

Where did the screw come from that was dropped?

 

[vostegun]

I would like to know what it ended up being?