In preperation to install a Coverlay replacement dash cover on my '74 450SL, it was necessary to trim a few ridges of old vinyl near the windshield vent on the driver side. The Exacto knife was working just fine until I accidently droped it into the windshield defrost vent. There was this nauseating sound of clunk-bump-clung. "Oh s***, Murphys Law in action again! ."

I have no idea where it stopped within the Heater-AC chamber. I know there is an access door (of sorts) on the very bottom of this chamber which is accessable after removing the center console. In that this is the lowest point in the heater/AC chamber box, is this the most likely place to find and remove the pin knife?

In that it is about 5 inches long would it have lodged against other components on it's journey down to the bowels of this beast? Could it jam some motor or working part or likely do some harm?

Should I try and remove it or just go into denial and forget it ever happened?

Would appreciate some constructive advise from a veteran mechanic. Be nice, I'm hurting bad enough as it is. 107