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HELP Dropped bolt in motor!

7794 Views 48 Replies 23 Participants Last post by  MikeMac
I was in the process of putting my engine back together after a fixing up a blown head gasket, as i was putting the camshaft on the head i dropped a bolt inside the oil galley. I was wondering how i should go about this problem? Ive already spent at least an hour sitting there with a magnet trying to fish it out, Ive tried vaccuming it out, and removing the oil pan just sounds like alot of work. Im curious to know how urgent it is that i get it out? Its pretty frustrating, suggestins??:32:

btw its a stock 5m-ge, thanks.
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a good strong magnet is gonna be your best bet.

Got a picture of where it fell into.
I do have a picture but ill have to post it later when i get home. Its about a dime size hole on the left side between the 4th and 5th piston. I been using a 3lb magnet with no luck. Im not sure if a 5lb would fit?
I have this Craftsman Extra Long Magnetic Pick Up Tool, with stainless steel telescopic handle... good for 16 lbs

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00946968000P
I have a magnet similar to that. The problem I keep coming across is the block is iron! Its frustraing Because once it gets to a certain point it attaches to the side. I need like a diagram of the inside or something so i could at least try to navigate it or something.
If the motor is out, defiantly pull the pan. If the motor is in the car, you suck. Sorry.

It's a bitch, but since its iron, a magnet is going to be tricky to get it to work, not to mention all the metal shavings that will fall down there from scraping a magnet inside that drain. Pull the pan and save the time wasted. Or you could leave it in there, since its far to large for the pump to pick up.
You should just pull the pan and get it out. Don't leave it in. It will always be in the back of your mind and drive you nutty.
if ur sure its made it was all the way to the pan.. u can try to pull the drain plug and drag the mag across the bottom of the pan and try to work the bolt to the drain hole.. it's workd for me b4 but that was on a 22re.. goodluck
I would gladly pull the pan off if i didnt have to move the engine. It just seems like soo much work for a little bolt! And if its not gonna mess somethingg up why bother? I could just get a new one from a junkyard or something to replace it rightt..Or will it turn up somewhere down the road and bite me in the ass?
Ive tried sticking it through there but not dragging it from the outside..I have a pretty strong magnet too I spose i could try it.
If the engine is in the car, and the magnet don't work for you, you may want to check out glmomp's Writeup on turbo installation...it explains how to remove the oil pan.
If your not under a budget restraint, pull the block and pull the pan. It will give you a chance to gasket anything leaking and replace anything out of spec. Then you get a fully rebuilt motor.. Did the head on mine a little while ago, and wish I had the time/space to pull the block..
<a href="http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee305/kuer702/?action=view&current=photo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee305/kuer702/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Right in that hole!
<a href="http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee305/kuer702/?action=view&current=photo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee305/kuer702/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Right in that hole!

haha try this link actually
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee305/kuer702/photo.jpg

Im not even working at the moment, full time student. soo noo money right now to go all out but i will, eventually..
is the magnet on a string?
I would say spend the time to jack the motor up and drop the oil pan. Should be in there.
is the magnet on a string?

Noo it was on a telescoping rod like the one CELICA XX sugest i use. but i even took the magnet off of there and attached it to a hanger so it could bend, still no luck..
I did the same thing. Tried all kinds of magnets. Magnet on a string finally worked for me.
I don't know the exact name of this tool, but I always called it a pickle grabber (no not your hand). It has a slide and a spring like a pen, and four little metal arms that grab stuff. I have an old one with a flexible neck, but I haven't seen one like it in a long time. If you're as clumsy with dropping stuff as I am I would recommend it.

This one is like it, but with a stiff neck.

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Kitche...Utensils_and_Tools___Pickle_Grabber___045430#

Hope this helps.
Take the pan off and remove the bolt if you cant get it out by any of the other suggested methods, or I will have to get a plane ticket to Las Vegas and cut your toilet in half.
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