Bad, Bad, problem

[SoLongStang9499]

Alright here is what one of those horror stories, mixed with sheer stupidity. I was replacing my intake manifold gaskets, rockers and pushrods due to excessive clearence and leaks. Upon pulling my 5th pushrod, the pushrod slipped, and fell somewhere down into the crankcase, it fell right near the pushrod, right next to the lifter. I have tried magnets, grapplers, to no avail, nothing seems loose ( pushrod). I cant see where it is, or if its standing up or laying down. If anyone has any idea to try to find it i would gladly appriciate it. I know the end result is pulling the engine and then the pan, but i would much rather spend hours getting this pushrod out and getting on with the installation. Please, any advice is appriciated. Thanks.

 

[SoLongStang9499]

no ideas, anyone?

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22221&highlight=lost+tools+4.0

Here's a link to when my little brother dropped a torqs bit inside his 4.0.
I would recommend pulling the engine and removing the oil pan due to the size of the push rod, even though we ended up leaving the bit inside his engine.

Sucks, but you gotta pull the engine.

 

[SoLongStang9499]

Yeah i figured it would be too large, i have a friend who is going to let me use his bore scope, hopefully it can show me where it is, and perhaps have a chance of getting it out. Looking at your link, there was talk of the oil level sensor, could i use this to try and find it, and if so i could use that to try and get it out. We'll see tommorow, thanks alot for the input!

 

[dennis461]

Drop the oil pan as much as you can, put a magnet on a string (unbreakable) and toss it in the oil pan through the gap between the pan and engine bottom (I'll assume your hand won't fit through).

Cross you fingers and drag it around.
Maybe you can pull it out from there.

If the oil pan has a built in splash plate, you are going to have to pull it off.

From another site...

 

[SoLongStang9499]

The problem with that though is if you pull the pan the 1-2 inches you can your not going to be able to put a new gasket on, nor will the old one reseal. You have to get the new gasket around the oil pickup, which requires dropping the pan. Thanks for the input!

 

[SoLongStang9499]

So i ended up calling a local dealership, and there quouting me roughly 560 to pull the pan gasket, pull the pushrod, and replace the gasket. I was told they would remove the trans, and lift the engine up a little to get the pan to drop enough to work with. I also called up a few other shops, and the majority of them said that they highly doubt it will hurt anything, and just to leave it there. So i guess i have three possible outcomes, I could let the pushrod in there, and magically is in the pan and will stay there. The second is to let it in there and it comes smashing through the pan, and the third is the safe route and pay 600 to have it removed. The plan im leaning towards is if i leave it in there, and it stays, hippie, if not, im going to need to replace the pan and gasket anyhow, kinda eliminating the third option, any thoughts?

 

[crazywhiteboy]

wow..that sucks bro
sorry.lol

 

[Nhaz]

First off. Don't take this from me like I know wtf im doing im only taking a guess at this.

If there isn't enough space to take the pan off. unbolt the engine from the mounts wrap a chain around it and lift it two inches maybe? Thats gotta be cheaper then 600 bucks.

 

[SoLongStang9499]

Yeah i can pull the pan, the only problem is there is no way you can put a new gasket on the pan in the position its in. You have to move the gasket around the oil pickup, and with 2 inches of space you cant do that, let alone clean the gasket surfaces. Trust me- If i could, i would have by now. I was considering just pulling it and RTV the snot out of it- the pan is as dry as a bone right now, it could be possible, but who is to say.

 

[SoLongStang9499]

Yes it REALLY sucks, but it is an expensive lesson to say the least. You wont see me being uncareful next time, boy i hope theres not a next time anytime soon. The truck leaves saturday morning for ford. Should have it back by mid next week.

 

[Beef52751]

you didnt find it with the borescope???

 

[SoLongStang9499]

No the scope is too large in diameter to fit down the return holes all the way, it either hits the cam lobe or the counterbalance of the crank. It also doesnt flex sharp enough to put it in the drain plug at a 90, it just doesnt turn as sharp as it needs to. That was one sweet piece of equipment though, i never seen anything like that before.