Dropped part question/problem?
 

Hey guys,

I was replacing one of the thermo-vacuum valves on my 380sl, and I accidentally dropper the old one down into the space between the rubber boot on the intake manifold and the outer part of the engine housing, just below the blue and white vacuum hose in the attached photo. It isn't magnetic, so I couldn't grab it with a magnet, and, needless to say, that just pushed it deeper, so now I can barely see one of its ears.

I'm thinking that it should be OK because it's lodged in a place that won't affect the throttle linkage movement. It's on the other side of the engine from the throttle position sensor, and, If I'm not mistaken, there's nothing under there except for the rubber seals that connect the upper part of the intake manifold to the lower part.

Nevertheless, I just wanted to see what you guys think, as I'm afraid to think what I'd have to do to get it out of there.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

can you still touch it? maybe grab it with some super-long needle-nose pliers? if not, i might try taking a long rod and putting a nice controlled dab of jb-weld on the end of it and sticking it to the part. let it sit overnight and it may be adhered enough to pull free

Thanks for the quick reply, and the interesting idea. Problem is I can barely see one of the valve's two vacuum ears, and its plastic. So, I'm now thinking that maybe I could put a dab of Superglue on the end of something, and hold it on the ear until it dries.

However, I'm afraid that even touching it might force it further down into the crevasse than it already is. So, I don't know whether it's worth taking the chance?

It's probably like buying an umbrella.. I got one of these but haven't had an opportunity to use it yet.

But it works great for something like that:

Mini Waterproof USB Endoscope Borescope Snake Inspection Camera 2M | eBay

and I know, because I changed one of the rubber nipples on the backside of the throttle body on my 380SL, BEFORE I got this.
It's got LED lights on it, so you can see EVERYTHING.

Buy a hemostat or foreceps, a long one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-5-Straight-Hemostat-Forceps-Locking-Clamps-Stainless-Steel-/280751029553?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415e10bd31

Two more possibilities. I wouldn't mind having that endoscope whether I used it now or later. But do you happen to know where I could get either of these things from a store?

In either case, as you obviously know enough about the 107 to change the nipple on a throttle sensor, am I correct in thinking that there's nothing down there for the sensor to screw up if it should drop further down?

Thanks in advance for the info.

Harbor Freight should have something like the hemostat. They have borescopes as well, but I don't think they have the cheap USB based one. They have a purpose built one with a screen for more money. I think the USB one is more useful (as well as cheaper), but I have never seen or used the other type.

If you can't fish it out, I wouldn't worry about it- other than getting another one. I don't think there is anything down there but oily goo that will hold it in place. In 500K miles it might wear through the boot, but we will all be dead then.

If you do go ahead and buy a borescope, change those nipples before you get a vacuum leak you can't see. It's easy then.

Thanks for the help. I think I'll run down to Pepboys first, though, since their website shows an 11" needle nose with a slight curve.

I guess nobody knows or wants to comment on whether there's anything under there that the sensor can screw up if it should drop further down?

Well, it's a moot point now, as the valve disappeared when I tried getting it out with superglue on the end of a flexible plastic rod -- after I decided there wasn't enough room to manipulate forceps or pliers down there.

I'm still thinking, however, that it shouldn't cause any problems because, AFAIK, the only thing under there is the space between the upper and lower parts of the intake manifold, and they're connected by rubber boots. So it can't get into the manifold, or interfere with any moving engine parts. Can anybody here confirm this?

I guess it could move around in that space, if it does manage to get in there, but, at least, the sides of the nut should prevent it from rolling around. So, hopefully, that's the worst thing that could happen??

You should be ok. But aNother option. Secure a vacuum line off a shop vac and try to hook onto it using vacuum

Thanks for the reassurance, Panda. I needed that because, as I'm sure you know, dropping something and having it disappear into the engine somewhere can generate quite a bit of fear. Luckily, however, I'm pretty sure I dodged a bullet on this one, as I'm pretty confident it can't interfere with any moving parts down there.

Using a shop vac was an interesting idea, but I don't think I could get any attachment into that space, or that there'd be enough suction to pull the switch out even if I could.

But I did order one of those boroscopes/endoscopes on ebay, which RS899, "Admiral of The Third World Fleet" :) suggested, since I think that may come in handy sooner or later.

Best regards . . .

That sensor will still be there in 2 weeks when your playtoy gets in from China and then you will have a use for it. You will find it there as well as the keys to Davy Jonses locker, condoms, cigarette butts etc....

It's not going to harm anything there for now or probably ever (unless you like to offroad your SL)

on the shop vac idea ( for future , and perhaps this adventure) make an adapter ( I use duct tape and cardboard - on the end of a hose and attach a flexible tube to that and snake it in there, you will pull out all sorts of stuff as referenced above!:)

Try blowing it out with compressed air. It may spit out the back of the engine.

Thanks for the suggestion, John, but I think I'll wait for that boroscope. That way I can hopefully see where it is before I decide what the best approach will be. Alternatively, I may just leave it where it is rather than risk moving it to a worse position.