Dropped something into oil pan

[JonT]

I tried to do a search, but didn't find anything.

So I was removing my vct solenoids and dropped a torx bit into the oil pan. I'm not trying to drop the oil pan or remove the timing cover. I don't have the equipment needed to lift my engine.

I've tried using a magnet on a coat hanger but couldn't get anything. I used a larger magnet to try to drag it from its location to the drain hole, but that isn't working and I cannot get the magnet past the k member.

I was thinking of maybe unbolting the oil pan and see if I can stick a magnet between the oil pan and engine block. Will that give me direct access or would there be a baffle in the way? Also, would I need to replace the gasket once I unbolted it?

This is for a 2008 mustang gt

 

[GallopingFord]

Remove the oil pan and then replace the gasket upon re-installation.

 

[AbdullaGT500]

I don't think you'd have enough room to unbolt the oil pan and move it down enough without raising the engine or removing the K-member.

 

[Badd GT]

I did the exact same thing a few years ago!! Took the timing cover off and there it was, sitting in the front of the oil pan right where it landed. After i got itb out and put everything back together, i wondered if it was really something to worry about.

 

[ghunt81]

That's kinda what I was wondering...would a small bolt like that matter? It's not like the oil pump can pick it up...

 

[5.SLOW]

if your lucky you could drain the oil and use a magnet and get out of drain hole.

 

[JonT]

I tried to stick in a magnet through the hole but no luck. I also tried to use a magnet on bottom of oil pan and drag it. Still no luk

 

[JeffS197]

Not the same motor, but on an old low budget turbo 4 cylinder project i had i was cutting out a oil return on the oil pan while the engine was still in the car and the entire 3/4" circle piece i cut out fell into the pan. I figured there was no way i was getting it out easy and it would never get sucked up by the oil pump since they have a screen on them and so i left it in there. The motor is still running to this day making more than twice the stock WHP. I wouldnt be too worried if your are sure its on the bottom of the pan.

 

[G.T]

sticking a magnet through the drain hole won't work.. the low part of the sump has a baffle so your magnet would hit that as you try to turn upwards, and even then you'd be headed towards the crankshaft rather than the front part of the sump.
your best bet is to remove the front timing cover, or drop the k-member and remove the sump... sorry!

 

[JonT]

So to remove the timing cover, all I need is a harmonic balancer puller? Do I need one for the crank as well or are they the same puller?

 

[Wes06]

The harmonic balancer puller is for the crank

 

[AbdullaGT500]

So to remove the timing cover, all I need is a harmonic balancer puller? Do I need one for the crank as well or are they the same puller?

Harmonic balancer=Crank pulley.

 

[G.T]

they're one piece.. so yeah you need the puller.
you will also need to move the AC compressor (you can just unbolt it and move it to the side)
but in order to do any of that, you'll have to remove the radiator fan and in some cases the radiator in order to gain access, depending on the size of the puller

to remove the crankshaft balancer bolt, you'll need to lock the car in gear, hopefully it's a manual, in which case you can keep it in gear, pull the e-brake or have someone push the brakes inside

 

[Badd GT]

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=165&viewfile=Engine Front Cover.pdf
ford service manual on removing front cover

 

[G.T]

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=165&viewfile=Engine Front Cover.pdf
ford service manual on removing front cover

That should do it.. not sure why i forgot to give you the link to my FSM portal

 

[1bad99]

not saying to leave it in there but i dropped a valve keeper in and fell all the way down ran like that for a year no issues pulled engine later that year to go dish pistons and found the keeper like new on the bottom of the pan maybe my luck lol