Dropped Nut Into Intake!!!!!!!

JoshBarber · #1 04-26-2006, 08:04 PM

HELP!

I'm midjob on my fuel system/spider assembly, and I dropped one of the small nuts that secure the fuel line into one of the ports for the intake.

Unfortunately they're not magnetic, and I can't get it out. I can't see it either.
Where would it have gone if it went in there? Does anyone have a pic of what a 98 intake looks like?

Do I have to remove the intake to get down to the lower intake to retrieve it? Will it cause damage if its NOT removed? Please help!

old_master · #2 04-26-2006, 08:16 PM

You will need to remove the lower intake manifold to retrieve it. If the intake valve is open, it is possible for the nut to find it's way into the combustion chamber. Once there, and if the engine is turned over or started, it will do severe damage to the cylinder walls. DO NOT operate the starter or turn the crankshaft! If you can not retrieve the nut by removing the lower intake manifold, it will be necessary to remove the cylinder head to locate and retrieve the nut.

JoshBarber · #3 04-26-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old_master

You will need to remove the lower intake manifold to retrieve it. If the intake valve is open, it is possible for the nut to find it's way into the combustion chamber. Once there, and if the engine is turned over or started, it will do severe damage to the cylinder walls. DO NOT operate the starter or turn the crankshaft! If you can not retrieve the nut by removing the lower intake manifold, it will be necessary to remove the cylinder head to locate and retrieve the nut.

are you positive about this? is it completely neccessary to retrieve it?
it looks like a huge job to get down to the lower intake, and I have enough troubles now as it is.

old_master · #4 04-26-2006, 08:39 PM

Been working on engines almost 35 years, take my advice or not, it's up to you. At the very minimum it will destroy the piston, valves and cylinder wall. It will make a nice anchor for a large boat very quickly.

OverBoardProject · #5 04-26-2006, 08:40 PM

old_master is right on the money for this one.
It's too risky to start it and hope for the best. Just say that there's about 1 chance in 10,000 that you won't have any engine damage from it

JoshBarber · #6 04-26-2006, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OverBoardProject

old_master is right on the money for this one.
It's too risky to start it and hope for the best. Just say that there's about 1 chance in 10,000 that you won't have any engine damage from it

How much more needs to be done if I have the upper intake off already?
Does anyone have a photo of what it takes to get down to the lower intake?
The ones I've seen on here are from earlier models.

srbianats · #7 04-26-2006, 09:53 PM

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ight=srbianats

Hope this helps.

JoshBarber · #8 04-26-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srbianats

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ight=srbianats

Hope this helps.

Shit, thats great!!!! All the other photos Id seen were of the earlier model intake!
Especially this one:

How much more time/work did it take from the stage of having the upper intake and spider assembly off?
I guess I'm going to have to tackle it this weekend. I assume first step is to drain the coolant?

If you have a step by step or can remember one, it'd be greatly appreciated!

frehol · #9 04-27-2006, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshBarber

are you positive about this? is it completely neccessary to retrieve it?
it looks like a huge job to get down to the lower intake, and I have enough troubles now as it is.

How about to use a vacuum cleaner and a thin hose through the sparkplugg hole and try to catch it that way?? Might be worth a try...

/Freddy

muddog321 · #10 04-27-2006, 06:40 AM

What holes were open with when you were putting the fuel rail back on (or was it coming off) on a 96up blazer? The nut is metal so magnetic but its small and light. Are you sure the nut is not sitting along the valve cover and lower intake in that channel between them??? I always tape over the openings in the intake (if dist out) as I do the fuel rail with those nuts and 4 o-rings and 4 flat washers in the spider. I have dropped them too but look around with a strong light at several angles and good chance that nut is out there.

JoshBarber · #11 04-27-2006, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddog321

What holes were open with when you were putting the fuel rail back on (or was it coming off) on a 96up blazer? The nut is metal so magnetic but its small and light. Are you sure the nut is not sitting along the valve cover and lower intake in that channel between them??? I always tape over the openings in the intake (if dist out) as I do the fuel rail with those nuts and 4 o-rings and 4 flat washers in the spider. I have dropped them too but look around with a strong light at several angles and good chance that nut is out there.

Its a 98.
I only had the upper intake exposed when I dropped it. It fell into one of the intake ports. Thinking the same thing, I'd grabbed a magnet right away and although I couldnt see it, tried to move the magnet around inside to catch it.
Come to find out, the nuts are not magnetic that secure the fuel lines to the spider....so I may have pushed it further into the intake with the magnet and now its nowhere to be found. Im going to start the teardown this morning.
I checked all along the valve cover as you mentioned...and will do one final check again today to see if it fell externally...but I'm pretty convinced its inside the lower intake.

herkyhawki · #12 04-27-2006, 10:26 AM

There is a tool called a Borescope that is inserted into a spark plug hole to inspect the piston and bore. Maybe you could rent one or hire someone to use it if you are not able to pull the heads.
For sure it's worth the time to pull the lower intake first.

534BC · #13 04-27-2006, 10:49 AM

I would do a lot of searching with mirrors, flashlites, chinese fingers and poky tools before I started pulling things apart. That is if it went in it can come out,,, especially if I did not see specifically where it went and cannot see where it is. We MUST find this nut,,,

Markgc · #14 04-27-2006, 11:06 AM

I like the idea of a vacuum cleaner. I would try and fashion some clear thin bore plastic tubing onto the shop vac and give it a try. You may need to put a few holes in the tube to allow the vacuum cleaner to pull enough air but you should still get enough suck that way.

Is the nut stainless, brass or aluminum. Annoying that the magnet doesn't work. I think that you have a good chance with a vacuum pipe. Worth spending a couple of hours on that method I think.

Mark

srbianats · #15 04-28-2006, 01:01 AM

Sorry, no step by step. And that intake is of a 98. I have a 98 Blazer LS. Like the others have said. I would try a shop vac. If that does not work, then take the lower intake off. I got a GM power steering puller for my tear down. Others have said they didn't need it. With the power steering bracket out of the way, it's easier to put the lower intake back on and not mess up the bead of RTV. Just remember to MARK the distributor rotor's location BEFORE loosening the bolt tat holds it in place to the intake. Good luck.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD