Dropped Isolator Bolts-you know where

[g8er065]

I guess someone had to do it. I dropped an Isolator Bolt into the intake. Go ahead and laugh. I deserve it. Any suggestions???? Also I noticed the intake, butterflys and ports were very dirty. I cleaned out the ports, should I get some cleaner and clean the inside as well?

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by g8er065

I guess someone had to do it. I dropped an Isolator Bolt into the intake. Go ahead and laugh. I deserve it. Any suggestions???? Also I noticed the intake, butterflys and ports were very dirty. I cleaned out the ports, should I get some cleaner and clean the inside as well?

Can you see it? a flexible "grabber" may allow you to get to it and pull it out. I am not sure if a magnetic one will work. Maybe a shop vac can help. Worst case is that you may have to remove the lower intake.

I cleaned the butterflys whan I have mine apart. May sure you use sensor safe solvents. If you can suck using a shop-vac while you clean you will prevent crud from getting into the cylinders

[g8er065]

I cannot see anything. Can i use a grabber? I was afraid i would push it futher down.

[adbradley]

I did the same thing when I replaced my upper intake seals. I tried a grabber with fingers but couldn't quite get ahold of the bolt. I was able to use a magnetic pickup tool since the intake is aluminum and the bolts are steel. Don't worry about pushing it down any farther. The valves in the heads will make sure that the bolt doesn't pass. The bolt head is too big...

[garync1]

I hope you got it out by now.. But the flex magnet is the best for removing. Most auto parts have these some just have flex ends and some are flex springs all the way up to the handle.They are the best. Should not have gone too far I hope.

[12Ounce]

One "trick" that may help you:

Find some steel based cable or strap that you can fish down to the area of the bolt.

Now bring a large magnet (the largest you can find ... perhaps an old speaker) to the upper end of the cable (or strap). This magnetizes the whole cable and you may find the bolt has attached itself to your "temporary magnet".

[CoachKarl]

Golly 12Ounce, your smart. I busted my magnet with a hammer to get a piece small enough to get into the manifold, and twisted a piece of 14g copper wire to slide down the hole. I got the bolt, but my magnet was . , well , busted.

Karl

[g8er065]

Thanks11I will try that. I bought a magnetic pickup at Auto Zone but it would not pull it up. The magnet was not strong enough to hold it up. The plastic shank kept getting caught on the side. I will try this.

[12Ounce]

Another small tip:

If space permits, you can slip a hose, tubing, or a piece of pipe insulation around the steel cable or wire ... leaving just an inch, or so, exposed. This may help keep the cable from sticking to unwanted surfaces. This is especially helpfull if you're fishing something out of a steel or iron enviroment

[g8er065]

A friend of mine picked up a magnic tool off of a Mac tool truck that was almost like the one I got. I was able to get the bolt out in 5 seconds with his. Thanks for the help.