Nut in Oilpan

[Flametail]

Anyone know an easy way of getting a nut out of an oilpan without having to drop it? I Had to take the dipstick out because of replacing the starter and the smallest nut on the starter slipped out of my hand and is nowhere to be found so I'm afraid it's in the oilpan. I went ahead and drained it just in case there is no other way. I was thinking about getting a pen magnet and trying to fish it down inside it or something to try and get ahold of it. Any other suggestions?

[b.u.ti-ful]

I would say there is a very good chance it didn't go in the tiny dipstick hole and you just have not found it.

[Flametail]

Well I know it's not sitting on the engine anywhere and I can't seem to find it if it hit the ground. IDK where it would have went to.

[Mallard]

get one of those flexible neck magnets

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/s...ck-up-tool.asp

[cooljess76]

You sure it didn't go into the transmission bellhousing? Even with the dipstick out, there's a pretty slim chance of it falling into the oil pan. You'ld have to be one unlucky SOB for that to happen, lol. I've lost nuts and bolts in the engine bay before and they usually end up on top of the control arms or motor mounts. Of course, the obvious solution is to use a magnet, preferably one with a telescoping "radio antenna" arm. You could pick them up at the counter of any auto parts store. You may also want to pick up a dentist style inspection mirror, they're usually sitting right next to the magnets on the counter, lol. While you're at it, pick up one of those little flexible LED flashlights, and a few of those black christmas tree air fresheners

Seriously though, if you could get a strong enough magnet(the one off of an electric can opener works well) you may be able to pull the lost nut to the drain hole by slowly running it against the bottom of the aluminum oil pan from the outside without even sticking it in the actual oil pan. Of course, this would require an oil change and that's just ASSUMING that the nut is infact in there. Good luck man, I say find another nut and run it, lol.

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by Mallard

get one of those flexible neck magnets

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/s...ck-up-tool.asp

^^^Even better!

[Flametail]

the issue with that is a nut banging around in my oil pan, if it's in there.

[cooljess76]

It's like a 1 in 50 chance though, lol. I know, it's a chance that I wouldn't want to take either, keep lookin, you'll find it

[Flametail]

the bad part was I was 95% done with the project...until this setback. I know it has to be on the driver's side because of the starter's location wouldn't allow it to fall to the passenger side. I checked the bell housing and it's not there, not under where the starter is and I don't think it's under the lower intake manifold but i'm not sure. And I have one of those mirrors along with a magnet, but the magnet isn't with me.

[MPWR]

Bimmerbum has magnetic drain plugs for $5ish. I would doubt that you managed to get the nut into the dipstick hole, but a magnetic plug might be some good insurance in case you did....

[Mad-Machine]

not sure having it "bang around" in there would cause any problems. The oilpickup on the pump should have a screen on it and being a heavy viscosity fluid, the oil will keep it from "banging around" It would probably just slide all over the bottom of the pan.


Get a magnetic drain plug and drive happy

[b.u.ti-ful]

Originally Posted by Mad-Machine

The oilpickup on the pump should have a screen on it

+1

[Philly]

rookie starter replacement not reccommended.


I say this because of all the hooplah threads lately on things going sour after a starter job.... LOL
I feel for ya though flametail, im usually the one doing things like these, so I will bask in my glory of not being the one this time.