Allan key inside engine

[The Ben]

Hi guys,

dad's got a huge or seemingly huge problem.

My dad has a 53 plate 320d BMW, he was topping the oil up last week and split some on the engine. He grabbed the rag that he had brought over to wipe the spill and an allan key flicked out the rag and landed in the engine where he was pouring the oil.
Now i realise this is a one in a million thing to happen.. but,

Where does he go from here?

so far he has drained the oil hoping it has fallen into the sump, taken the sump off and nothing. he has a magnet on a rod which isn't picking the allan key up anywhere.

He is starting to think he has imagined this and is considering chancing it and filling it back with oil and starting it

[JonnyFive]

Checked the undertray for the allan key?

[jimbob82]

if it's gone into the oil cap hole he'll have to remove the rocker cover to get it out. It wouldn't have gone into the sump because the drains aren't big enough. I wouldn't advise leaving it in there...

[G600]

Take the rocker cover off and have a look.

[jimbob82]

G600 said:

Take the rocker cover off and have a look.

only problem is, it's not an easy job. injectors have to be removed to get the cover off and they can be a right PITA...

[The Ben]

cheers guys, warming the hands up for another go!

[The Ben]

jimbob82 said:

only problem is, it's not an easy job. injectors have to be removed to get the cover off and they can be a right PITA...

Everything is a PITA with this car.

The car has only just recovered from the swirl flap ingest problem, and also a second crank shaft pulley has been replaced in a year. The car will be sold after this.... or push it over a cliff

[Turn7]

If an Allen key fell into the oil filler neck,surely it would still be visible?

Or do you mean an Allen headed bolt?

[The Ben]

Turn7 said:

If an Allen key fell into the oil filler neck,surely it would still be visible?

Or do you mean an Allen headed bolt?

I would have thought that too, but nothing is visible at all, yes an allen key not a bolt.

[Turn7]

The Ben said:

Turn7 said:

If an Allen key fell into the oil filler neck,surely it would still be visible?

Or do you mean an Allen headed bolt?

I would have thought that too, but nothing is visible at all, yes an allen key not a bolt.

Can't have gone far if the cars not moved or been turned over.

Tried a magnet in the filler?

[Super Slo Mo]

Turn7 said:

Can't have gone far if the cars not moved or been turned over.

Tried a magnet in the filler?

Yes, this. A cheap telescopic magnet might just do the job.

[The Ben]

Super Slo Mo said:

Yes, this. A cheap telescopic magnet might just do the job.

Yeah, no love there either... Got a flexi one from the internet. turning into a right ballache!!!

[jimbob82]

Turn7 said:

If an Allen key fell into the oil filler neck,surely it would still be visible?

Or do you mean an Allen headed bolt?

the design of the filler neck is slanted, so anything that could drop in would go straight onto the valvetrain

[mrmr96]

The Ben said:

...an allan key flicked out the rag and landed in the engine where he was pouring the oil. ...

so far he has drained the oil hoping it has fallen into the sump, taken the sump off and nothing.

LOL

The Ben said:

He is starting to think he has imagined this and is considering chancing it and filling it back with oil and starting it

Double LOL!

If he thinks an allen key can get from the filler in the rocker cover, down into the SUMP! I'd suggest he gets someone more mechanically minded to lend a hand. To get it out first try fishing it out with a magnet, and if that doesn't work then the rocker cover will have to come off. Yes, that will be a PITA. Cheaper than rebuilding it though.

[The Ben]

mrmr96 said:

The Ben said:

...an allan key flicked out the rag and landed in the engine where he was pouring the oil. ...

so far he has drained the oil hoping it has fallen into the sump, taken the sump off and nothing.

mrmr96 said:

LOL

Appreciated and very helpful

The Ben said:

He is starting to think he has imagined this and is considering chancing it and filling it back with oil and starting it

mrmr96 said:

Double LOL!

Really helpful. Id say it was more out of frustration than actually going to do it!!!


If he thinks an allen key can get from the filler in the rocker cover, down into the SUMP! I'd suggest he gets someone more mechanically minded to lend a hand. To get it out first try fishing it out with a magnet, and if that doesn't work then the rocker cover will have to come off. Yes, that will be a PITA. Cheaper than rebuilding it though.

You have repeated what other helpful posters have mentioned.

[Vince70]

It looks like you have no other option but to take the rocker cover off.
I did a similar thing about a year ago, it was easier for me as my car has a basic petrol engine,
I think it's a case of getting the Haynes manual out or use an Internet guide,
And of course a new gasket and some gasket seal.
If you need a decent tool set halfords are doing a fantastic deal on a 150 piece one at the moment, the deal ends on Tuesday.
Sorry I can't be of no more help.

[Turn7]

I'd want to realy certain that's where it was before I took the rocker cover off.

Have you tried shaking the car in case it's sitting hidden on a pipe somewhere ?

[The Ben]

Cheers guys, yeah he is certain it went down there, he said it just flew in, in slow motion.... had a good mess around with a flexi magnet, but to no avail... Rocker cover it is then...

Many thanks

[Paul.B]

The Ben said:

Cheers guys, yeah he is certain it went down there, he said it just flew in, in slow motion.... had a good mess around with a flexi magnet, but to no avail... Rocker cover it is then...

Many thanks

AND??? Come on the suspense is killing me!!!

[Ranger 6]

jimbob82 said:

only problem is, it's not an easy job. injectors have to be removed to get the cover off and they can be a right PITA...

I'm fascinated to know which engine has to have it's injectors removed to take the rocker cover off?