Where did that 6MM socket go?

[jgilber0]

Turns out, with sufficient clumsiness, it’s possible to drop a 6 mm socket into the timing belt cover when removing hoses from the thermostat housing.

Ask me how I know… :-|

Fortunately, I’m in the middle of a timing belt job, so not so bad. But if you’re simply changing hoses, be careful because you might wind up doing a lot more work than you originally anticipated.

[ttrousdell]

time to go fishing with the magnet tool

[jgilber0]

time to go fishing with the magnet tool

Yes, good suggestion and it ultimately worked. Thank you.

A lot of fishing with the magnet finally produced the missing socket after I removed the timing belt top cover.

Other readers be careful; any small thing dropped in the area near the thermostat can fall into the timing gears and belt. There’s a gap at the back of the timing belt top cover. Bad design in my opinion given how sensitive that area is.

Glad that’s out of the way. Now on to changing the belt itself...

[Das Delfin]

Once on a toyota I had the bearing inside the clutch fan grenade itself sending ball bearings everywhere, including into the timing belt case, which wore through the timing belt and necessitated an impromptu belt change, all only a few months after having major work done to the motor.

At least on the bmw I'm getting close to a service interval's worth between each belt...

[RobDog]

There is a plastic piece that snaps over the back of the timing cover. BMW put the easily removable plastic piece there for quick inspections of the timing belt. I thought it was a smart design considering this is a interference engine and the condition of the timing belt is crucial. Most inspection covers have been removed during a timing belt change and never put back on. Here is a thread showing the inspection cover I'm talking about.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?p=4572647#post4572647

[jgilber0]

There is a plastic piece that snaps over the back of the timing cover. BMW put the easily removable plastic piece there for quick inspections of the timing belt. I thought it was a smart design considering this is a interference engine and the condition of the timing belt is crucial. Most inspection covers have been removed during a timing belt change and never put back on. Here is a thread showing the inspection cover I'm talking about.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...47#post4572647

Just learned something. Thank you!

I’ll see if I can buy one.

[jgilber0]

Once on a toyota I had the bearing inside the clutch fan grenade itself sending ball bearings everywhere, including into the timing belt case, which wore through the timing belt and necessitated an impromptu belt change, all only a few months after having major work done to the motor.

At least on the bmw I'm getting close to a service interval's worth between each belt...

Irritating on that Toyota.

As for BMWs, so many things to replace on mine. Working through it one system at a time. Cooling done, Timing and Ignition now, Fuel next, Etc. The timing belt will make it through to the service interval, but it will almost be a different car in four years!

[BaltimoreBimmer]

time to go fishing with the magnet tool

was working on an audi recently and dropped a bolt down behind the front pulleys. It's just ever so slightly out of reach of my fingers so i pull out my telescoping magnet wand....

Fucking bolt is aluminum and my magnet just taps it further into the recesses of the engine -_-

ended up using a nabber grabber and getting it after maybe legit 15 minutes of fighting. Yay aluminum bolts!

[jgilber0]

was working on an audi recently and dropped a bolt down behind the front pulleys. It's just ever so slightly out of reach of my fingers so i pull out my telescoping magnet wand....

Fucking bolt is aluminum and my magnet just taps it further into the recesses of the engine -_-

ended up using a nabber grabber and getting it after maybe legit 15 minutes of fighting. Yay aluminum bolts!

Awful- at least you were able to grab it

[Echo30V]

Ha, thats brutal.

[jdt10768]

. . . working on my '70 2002's weber 32/36 carb, and dropped a small (8 mm) nut that I never could find or retrieve. Searched and searched before finally deciding to start the engine - praying it wasn't in the depths of the carb. All fine . . .

I found the nut about 15 feet away this past weekend after almost a month. Mind back at ease

Moral: use one of those magnetic dishes to keep all your nuts in one place, unless they're aluminum, in which case: just don't drop them