airtraffic

So I was trying to replace both distributor caps and rotors.. All was going fairly well until I was working on the passenger's side and my 8mm socket fell into the engine. It went down behind the plasic timing belt cover, the one I can't seem to remove. I can't see it. A magnetic probe hasn't retreived it so far.. How much energy should I put into finding it? What are the chances it'll just sit there in the front of the engine forever without getting lodged in a gear or something? I've not taken the whole front end of the engine apart, so I don't know the layout there. I'd probably have to tahe it to the dealer to have them take it apart to find the socket if it's going to be a problem.

Gspec

Your def gonna need to get that out....

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

yeah that's gonna be a problem.

airtraffic

Can you guys help with procedure to get lower half of black plastic timing belt cover off so I might be able to retreive it? I've got the top half off, the coolant tank off, the upper radiator hose off, the airbox removed. I removed two visible bolts.. One on the inboard side, one in the middle. I removed the two bolts on the plastic going down to the timing marks.. cover won't come off. How do I gain access to that area?

ScottURnot

iTrader: (33)

Probally need to get a puller and pull the harmonic balancer and lower cover.

airtraffic

Hmmm.. That sounds above my level of expertise.. Would it explode if I drove it 20 miles to the dealer?

ishootstuf

iTrader: (1)

Well... it won't explode, but the socket could get stuck between the belt and a gear and break something. I'd drive it - but that's me. Definitely safer to tow.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

You could get a mechanic's boroscope to locate it in the engine and then better target it with your magnetic pick up or other grabber - it's basically endiscopy like doctor's use but for your car). If you don't know anyone to borrow one, you can rent 'em places or buy cheap versions for $100.

We borrowed a buddy's Snap on BK5500 to look inside my wife's M3 engine for some stuff recently. Worked like a champ

airtraffic

Thanks! Does anybody know why the stupid lower half of the timing belt cover won't come off with the bolts removed? The outboard side where it mates with the block just won't let go! I think I'd be able to see better with it removed.

lemmiewink

You need to remove the harmonic balancer/ aka the crank pulley to completely remove that cover. Other then that it should be just allen wrench bolts.

Follow the timing belt replacement procedures and it will show you how to remove it.

soarer13oy

iTrader: (13)

+1 its not hard at all.

RedPhoenix

iTrader: (10)

ive done this before, got it out with a magnet, but it took awhile. it would have been faster removing all the plastic and the crank pulley.

airtraffic

Changing 8 spark plugs.. $55 Changing distributor cap & rotor.. $60 Retrieving 8mm socket dropped in engine.. Priceless!

OK, I got the socket out without having to pay the stealer hundreds of dollars..

Now.. Do I have to have the timing checked? I'm not really sure how the SC handles timing duties.

Neucorp

iTrader: (1)

If you didn't remove the timing belt, you should be fine. If you did, you've got some work to do.