Bud Weaver

Well, I have just about had my fill of this POS 3VZE engine in my '90 4x4.
I was changing the head gaskets in this thing and I pulled a good one. I had a standard length 12mm socket on a 3" long, 3/8" drive extension when I was snugging up the head bolts and getting ready to torque them when it slipped out of my fingers and right down the front oil drain-back hole and I heard it go "plunk" right down into the pan!! I tried to fish it out with a magnetic flexible tool but it is just too strong and keeps getting "stuck" along the way. I tried my Sneaky Pete but to no avail. Looks like its in it to stay because I'll be damned if I am going to pull the pan just to retrieve this thing.

Damn rookie mistake.

Does anyone else feel like I should pull the pan or just let it be?
I am going to drive it as is and if it does end up in the reciprocating mass then I will have a reason to pull the engine. That thing is pretty dense and I seriously doubt it is going anywhere being in a bath of oil anyway.

Just wanted to vent!!

Bud

stanz

iTrader: (1)

If it were me. I would have already pulled the pan. I don't take chances.

Discombobulated

I had an el camino that had a locking gas cap and it was stolen, so when they needed gas they had to break the top off of the gas cap so the locking part fell in the tank. Long story short I have OCD so I had to drop the tank.

Could I have left it sure but holy crap it ate at me and on an almost empty tank going around corners I could hear it. So in your case I guess how bad will it bug you??

FattMaanLittleTruck

I'd drop the pan and get my wrench back but you don't have to

Bassmastry101

iTrader: (1)

Well you can always have piece of mind that if you need a 12mm socket and extension, it's just an oil pan away.

rattlewagon

Pull the pan. It could cause a blockage and do more damage.

I did the same thing. But my engine was out of the truck when it happened making it a little easier.

Bummer man. I feel your pain. Good Luck!

wildfire124

pull the pan

Bud Weaver

Success!!!
I pulled this sucker out using a 3/8" piece of Poly-flo tubing and the magnet that I tried to use last night. I crimped the magnet on a piece of speedo cable and fished it up inside the tubing and held it tight against the end. I then started feeding it down the hole and kept pushing until I heard the magical "clink" noise. I carefully pulled it out and it was stuck on the magnet pretty as ever!
Talk about dodging a bullet!

It fell into the first "sump" and didn't work it's way down to the lower one where the drain plug is.

YAY!!

93Xtra-Cab

^You're the modern-day MacGyver!

rainman88

oh my,Macgyver is the 'OLD DAYS'GREAT NOW I REALLY FEEL OLD.