There's a nut stuck in my oil pan. This can't be good.

[yoda634]

I was being clumsy while adjusting my valves, and I tried to take one of the screws out that holds the eccentric to the rocker arm (the hole in the eccentric wasn't visible, wanted to be able to turn it by hand) but I dropped the nut and washer into the oil galley. I know, I'm a fucking idiot.

Got a magnet to fish them out, they were gone. Tried turning over the oil pump by hand a few times, heard a light clunking noise, and via the magnet confirmed that at least the washer is sitting in the oil pan. Since it went after the nut, I'm guessing it's down there too. I was going to drop the pan and fish it out, but quickly realized I didn't have anywhere near enough time to do that (I'm supposed to be 10 hours away from here at 9 Monday morning) There should be a grating over the oil pump pickup in the pan. I'm guessing it's still a bad, bad idea to just leave it down there.

Would it be alright to leave it there? If not, what's the best way of getting it out? It's too big to fit through the drain hole. I've got no lift or engine hoist, so dropping the oil pan seems damn near impossible, but I'm thinking that's what I'll have to end up doing.

[LINUS]

Rent a car & deal with it when you get back. Rental car will cost less than risking a motor rebuild.

[yoda634]

Rent a car & deal with it when you get back. Rental car will cost less than risking a motor rebuild.

Not an option -- going to be there for three months, need the car.

[jlevie]

You might try fishing it out from the drain plug. If that doesn't work your only remaining option is to drop the pan.

[xLibelle]

your oil pump cant pick up a "b-b" from a pelet gun. if its something like a nut, and you know its in the pan, thats where it will stay. but you need to get it out sometime soon.

[JPL]

that was my worst fear when i was adjusting my valves

[yoda634]

dropped the pan, now i'm just having a BITCH of a time getting it and the oil pump back on.

i swear, this is the worst fucking design in automotive history.

[backtrail69]

With a hoist the oil pan is a couple hour job...

[g22]

Did the same damn thing... I feel your pain. I was lucky enough to not have to pull the pump and could feel the nut in the bottom of the pan and then put it back up...