c993k

While changing belts I dropped an Allen wrench under the pulleys.
It first got stuck and even though I could see, I just could'nt get it out.
Then it just disappeared!
I tried all methods, magnet, wire, mirrors and grasp arm.
Where's the lowest place it ends up in the pan, and how can I get it?

ilko

The lowest place is right under the engine pulley. It's about 1/2" or so clearance, so it's most likely there. A telescoping magnet should do the trick. Best of luck!

c993k

I tried the telescopic magnet, and the allen wrench just seems to be suck somehow and I can't feel it at all. I used a wire hanger and everything else I could find. At first I could clearly see it but the small end of the wrench had fallen into a gap and wouldn't allow me to pull it out even when I had a good grip on it with long nose pliers. Then it went under and I couldn't feel it again. My fear is that it would get caught by the engine pulley and do damage.

MarkD

yes, you need to get it out.

No magic answers... it sounds like you have the right tools. Keep trying and good luck!

NC TRACKRAT

Can you see it with a small telescoping mirror and a bright light shining on the mirror? Suggest you ducttape a small rectangular magnet to the end of a length of coathanger wire. Bend the coathanger with a curvature slightly larger than the lower pulley. Snake it down and see if you can snag it that way.

dryadsdad

I haven't a clue what a 993's engine is like, but wonder about the OP's situation. It sounds like something I would do. I have done similar.

If push comes to shove, is there a cover below the OP can take off to surely get the wrench?

NC TRACKRAT

dryadsdad, you'd have to drop the exhaust/catalytic converter to gain access to the underside of the pan. Hours of work. Best to try it from the top for now.

dryadsdad

OK, thanks for the info. We've been either working or larking about in the new for us 993. I haven't done anything after the PPI except check the oil. I really do need to crawl around the underside to see what's up with our new toy.

rsr91128

That is an absolute black hole. I dropped one of the allen screws under there, tried for an hour plus to get it out with no luck. Stopped and drank a beer , went back out and grabbed it first try with a pick up tool even though I couldn't see it any more.

I promised I would always cover the engine whenever I was working on it. Promise broken yesterday Hose clamp from the ISV flipped into the area in front of the intake, turned a 5 minute job into an hour of frustration.

Bottom line COVER all openings in the engine bay no matter what you are doing.

It's under there and it will come out, good luck.

IXLR8

If its next to another piece of metal...like engine sheet metal, a magnet won't work.

Try cutting a long strip of plastic from a bottle that windshield washer fluid comes in that is narrow enough to fit within the pulley cavity. Slide it down and under the pulley.

c993k

I went back at it today using several different tools and lights with mirrors. As I thought, the handle of the wrench went in a hole that was way too deep to see. The pulleys were in the way and not allowing it to come out of the hole. I made some tries using wire and even though I had a good strong grip on the long side of the wrench using long needle nose pliers, I still couldn't pry it out of the invisible hole!
After fighting with it for about 3 frustrating hours and using a center leverage tool, I won! It's out.
RS Pulley next.

ilko

Congrats!!

NC TRACKRAT

Way to hang in there! Poop happens to all of us at one time or another. Reminds me of the nightmare I had after dropping a small screwdriver down into an M635CSi engine while doing a single to double valve spring conversion...Had to drop the oil pan to get it out. Fortunately, it went all the way to the bottom. After that, I always covered the oil galleys and timing chain cover area.

dryadsdad

Thread reminds me rather bitterly of my having dropped some shim stock down into a KTM engine (motorcycle). Yeah, it was brass....