mousiee

I gave my SC400 a tune up today, and while changing the right distributor and rotor I think I dropped a 8mm 1/4" socket in the timing belt valley. I say think because I tried to use a magnet to fish it out but nothing seems to be in there. I buttoned everything up and started the car; I know crazy, right? When I started it I heard nothing rattling or anything; I even let it idle for about 15 minutes, and revved it a few times; nothing. Could it be that the socket is lodged in there in a way that will not tear my motor to pieces?

So, now I paranoid as hell. I want to take it in to my mechanic tomorrow morning to have him change the timing belt, water pump, etc since he's gonna have to tear that all down to look for this damn socket.

Now here's the question: Should I chance driving 20 miles to my mechanic's shop or have it towed there? My head is saying don't chance it and have it towed, but what do you all think?

Mousiee

romycha1

iTrader: (3)

I wouldn't chance it... even if you were totally confident that it is lodged somwhere in there where it won't fall out.

Although a tow truck will cost a lot, it will cost a lot more if the socket does fall into something

But... I'm not sure about the 400's but can't you just unbolt the lower timing cover?

SW2UZ

iTrader: (3)

don't chance it, I had a piece of the rubber seal on the timing cover that had hardened over the years fall off into the timing area (unknown to me at the time) started and ran fine for about 4 min then timing jumped as I was making a right turn

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

damn ---that sucks----the proper thing to do is get your mechanic to find it and get it out of there no matter what -----although i realize money is an issue-------in the end its your call---how sure are u that the socket fell in? Any chance it fell somewhgere else or you misplaced it?

mousiee

I had the car towed to my mechanic this morning. The socket fell out as my mechanic removed the timing belt cover. It had made it all the way to the bottom. Since he had to tear into the timing belt cover, I had him replace the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, pulleys, thermostat, seals and belt. I would've been due for all of this in about 15,000 more miles.