Ridiculous

[Curdster]

I feel stupid and ridiculous asking this but it's driving me mad. While taking the throttle bodies off I get to No3 and my small gauge Allen socket falls off the ratchet driver and now I can't find it. It hasnt fallen into the engine as I have capped the intakes. So where the hell could it be?
I have been round the engine bay with a magnetic pick up and underneath in the trays but nothing. I have also jacked up one corner to see if it rolled out of somewhere.
Any ideas? Fully accept a raft of sarcasm but until I find it I am off the road.

[coetzeeh]

Sorry I cant help but I'm sure you are not the first to have this problem. I'm sure one of the resident SP6 experts will be along with thoughts.

your story did make me chuckle though - I know the feeling.

[Hedgehopper]

Are you using an LED handheld lamp. I usually find my missing bits are stuck to the magnetic base.

Hope you find it.

[Curdster]

Alex yes had the LED strapped to my head and even turned the lights off in the garage to see if being shinny helped. No luck.

[shake n bake]

I did this a while back and used one of those magnet on a stick things and poked it everywhere until it came out! If you're sure it's not lodged anywhere vital then don't worry too much, it can be replaced.

[m4tti]

Just put mine back as ive upgraded the injectors. There's two almost shelves on the side of the block where ive collected a lot of the bolts and washers that fell whilst extracting.

Could have fallen into the loom so lift that up behind the bodies.

Failing that drop the under tray. Presuming its not under the car and has rolled out of one of the under tray openings.

[stlol]

Back of the coil pack ?

[clive f]

as said, coil pack, starter motor, stuck down behind the starter motor?
have you removed the bottom half of the filter box and the plastic air hose?

[Curdster]

All the HTs are off and had hands all the way round the starter. Nothing. It's not like it pinged off, just dropped. Maddening.

[clive f]

try between outer bottom chassis rail and bodywork, may be caught be the insulation matting

[Curdster]

Yes tired there this evening. Had the OSF wheel off too to have a look from another angle. Nothing. Decided to refit the TBs and fuel rail and get it going again as I can't see it in any of the belts etc. Drive is on a slight slope so if I can get it out of the garage I am hoping it will roll out before going too far.

[twinreal]

As said above, behind/under the coil pack. You have to undo it, otherwise you can't see if it is there.

[duff-man]

Could also be behind the alternator or ontop of the engine mount.

[Curdster]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, sadly nothing!!! I have bought a new socket in the hope that in spending the money would have lrevealled the old..no luck. Started refitting the TB's last night after a week of searching an removing more bits. Just got the dreaded fuel rail fitting this weekend.