Dropped Allen key into engine bay

[carl_w]

Folks,

I managed to drop an Allen key into the engine bay. I was worried it might have got tangled up in the pulleys at the front of the engine, but I've now found it sitting on top of the sump guard (i.e. underneath the sump).

Is there any sort of lip on the back of the sump guard? I'm going to try getting it out with a metre ruler or something, but failing that I thought I'd just accelerate up the road and hopefully it'll drop out of the back of the sumpguard.

[ukbob]

carl_w said:

Folks, I managed to drop an Allen key into the engine bay. I was worried it might have got tangled up in the pulleys at the front of the engine, but I've now found it sitting on top of the sump guard (i.e. underneath the sump). Is there any sort of lip on the back of the sump guard? I'm going to try getting it out with a metre ruler or something, but failing that I thought I'd just accelerate up the road and hopefully it'll drop out of the back of the sumpguard.

Can you try something with blu tack stuck on?

[alans]

i done that, when i had my cerb.
There is a lip around the plate, so I bought a cheap extending magnetic probe thing from halfwits (about £5) done the job
Alan
(I miss that car the only car I have ever regreted selling)

[satman]

Isnt the sump gaurd aluminuim...if it is you could try a big magnet and try and 'drag' the allen key to the back edge!


If you are wondering where to get a big magnet...try dismantling an old speaker...usually a nice sized magnet there!

[dannylt]

Get one of those magnetic tipped extending aerial tools from Halfrauds or wherever - absolutely fantastic for stuff like that!

[carl_w]

I'd like to get it out rather than leave it on the road, because it's the only Allen key I have that fits all the bolts in the engine bay.

[kojak]

Dont think its got a lip.

[david smith]

mines as kojaks pic no lip ... DAS

[carl_w]

Mine seems to extend further backwards -- there seems to be some sump guard directly underneath the finned bottom of the sump.

[kojak]

Can you take it off?

[carl_w]

Not without ramps, lifts or an inspection pit, and an Allen key the size of the one I'm trying to retrieve

I'll have a go with a big stick tomorrow when it's light. If no joy, I'll get one of the magnetic things from Halfords.

[kojak]

Good luck.

[carl_w]

Thanks

[carl_w]

Update: shifted it around the sump guard using a long stick but after that I couldn't see it (and it wasn't on the floor). Went out for a drive -- tried hooning away from a standing start outside my house (under 3000 rpm, of course, because the engine was cold) but it isn't in the road

However, went round a left hander later on and heard a light thud/tinkle, so I think that was it falling out. Time to get a new Allen key...

[froggie]

my dad lost a spanner in the bay of his rotch dale (witch i made him sell as my mum couldnt getin he never forgave me after i was born)
the rear tyre stayed hung on the wall of the garage for many years as a conversation point WITH THE SPANNER THROUGH THE TREAD AND OUT OF THE SIDE WALL,
ive also a picture of a pair of foot print grips a friend PICKED UP ON THE A19

[cerber450]

alans said:

i done that, when i had my cerb. There is a lip around the plate, so I bought a cheap extending magnetic probe thing from halfwits (about £5) done the job Alan (I miss that car the only car I have ever regreted selling)

Now I feel guilty about having all this fun & pleasure playing around in it...................Not!

If you ever want to borrow it for a weekend you can have it for a special rate!

[cerber450]

kojak said:

Dont think its got a lip.

The lip is at the front or at least it is on mine!