Help! Dropped screw in engine

HamZilla · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:17

I have dropped one of the screws for the rocker cover through the oil filler hole.

How can I get it out? I can feel it submersed in oil using a long screwdriver.

cleanbluesky · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:18

magnetic screwdriver? oil change?

HamZilla · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:23

i've only just changed the oil

. Will it screw the engine if I try to start it? I'm thinking yes.

andi · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:29

Yes, DO NOT start the engine..

Third Opinion · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:30

Very likely it will totally shag your engine unless you are very lucky and it gets picked up in the filter.

HamZilla · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:32

Thanks for discouraging that worse to omf idea. One lousy screw has ruined my evening.

Muncher · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:33

Feed a sock in there, it will help get the screw out.

Acolyte · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:35

Take the rocker cover off, probably wont have gone far.

NickXX · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:38

Muncher said:
Feed a sock in there, it will help get the screw out.

HamZilla · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:42

If it wasn't my own car I'd be laughing too.

Third Opinion · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:52

What car is it?

HamZilla · 4 Jun 2006 at 20:55

it was a ford fiesta 1.25. the rocker cover only covers the spark plugs not the engine innards.

atpbx · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:18

You need one of those tools that look like Doctor octopuss arms.

I cant think of the proper name for them, they are really cool, i used to have them when i was a trainee bike mechanic (not for very long).

Stellios · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:22

atpbx said:
You need one of those tools that look like Doctor octopuss arms.

Yep, my dad done exactly the same thing a few years ago and decided to drive it down to the local garage (about 2 mins away) to get them to sort it, luckily we bumbed into my mates dad who works for the RAC as we pulled otu the street and he got it out in a few seconds with one of the long arm grabber things.

Third Opinion · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:23

There again if I couldn't get it out or find it I would be tempted to start it. I mean the engine will have to come to bits to find it anyway. You might get very, very lucky and it gets caught on the magnetic sump plug or something. However this would be my very last resort.

Lopéz · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:23

Or one of those things that look like a car ariel with a little magnet on the end.

Serj · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:23

I think you're screwed mate

moss · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:24

Third Opinion said:
There again if I couldn't get it out or find it I would be tempted to start it. I mean the engine will have to come to bits to find it anyway. You might get very, very lucky and it gets caught on the magnetic sump plug or something. However this would be my very last resort.

I really wouldnt recommend starting the car even as a last resort.

atpbx · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:25

Stellios said:
Yep, my dad done exactly the same thing a few years ago and decided to drive it down to the local garage (about 2 mins away) to get them to sort it, luckily we bumbed into my mates dad who works for the RAC as we pulled otu the street and he got it out in a few seconds with one of the long arm grabber things.

Found one on a popular website that i cant mention.

Just google "pick up tool" and you will find its the third address.

Tesla · 4 Jun 2006 at 21:27

moss said:
I really wouldnt recommend starting the car even as a last resort.

I agree. There is a difference to taking the engine apart and haveing to replace parts because they are broken.

How about one of those claw things used to get pickled onions out of the jar?