Dumbass Move by Me......dropped washer in crankcase.

[Guest]

So I am working on an 81 1100 motor that I have out. I have it on its side and I am pulling the stator cover off. As I pull the cover and starter gear out the washer that sits behind the starter gear falls behind the stater clutch. I can see it sitting there so I grab a magnetic screwdriver and slowly move the washer up and out. Needless to say it falls off the driver in into the crankcase near the bottom of the starter clutch. So I pull off the oil pan and sump....not there. It appears that there is some kind of baffle inside the pan below the crank and I am guessing that it is in there somewhere? I have moved the motor all over trying to shake it out, but not a sound not any sign off the washer. I am thinking if I pull the rotor and starter clutch off maybe I can get a magnet inside to fish it out? Any other ideas or suggestions where it could be? Worst case is split the cases and if so can I leave the head on?

[Carter Turk]

I would think it's possible to reach under the crankcase splash plates with a telescoping bendable magnet or fabricate a pick out of copper wire from the oil pan or reach beneath the starter clutch gear.

Attaching surgical tubing or some other type of bendable hose, duct taped to a shop vac nozzle might suck it into view. I've dropped copper stud washers into the cam chain tunnel and MTC piston buttons into the crank and retrieved them. It might be the washer stuck somewhere flat with an oil film holding it in place. Use a flashlight, I think you'll get it.

[Brendan W]

I've managed that a few times. Keep trying with magnets on wire fishing poles. It's probably closer to the starter clutch than you think.

[mikerophone]

All good tips here, the other thing you might consider is to get one of those cheap USB micro inspection snake cameras like the one I got below to get the a bolt out of a cylinder once. A good tool to have anyway to check cylinder bores, valve faces, wiring or the duct work in your house and the like as well.

$20 on Amazon - CrazyFire® 2.0MP HD 720P Coms 6 LEDs USB Endoscope 8.0mm Dia Waterproof Borescope USB Snake Inspection Camera Pipe Locator With 5m Cable

Works with PC, Mac and I'm told some android phones but it has LED's on it and 3 little attachments - a mirror, a little hook and best of all, a magnet. They focus really close, have variable brightness and take some getting used to since the image is backwards on screen. Tape a straightened out coat hanger to it if you need more rigidity.

Patience and perseverance and you just may get it it! Best of luck.

[bikemtn]

I've approached it with the wire with no luck and I have one of those handy grabber deals but it wont fit under the stater clutch gear. I may end up pulling off the rotor once I pick up the puller and that will let me shine some better light in there. I just cannot believe this!!
Will the washer have something to stop from dropping down the cam chain tunnel?

[Brendan W]

Get a flat fridge magnet or one from an old hard drive. If it doesn't have a hole for the wire use duct tape and slip it up under the rotor. Use the Force. Pulling rotors shouldn't be necessary and is a whole other can of worms.
How are you in the tunnel ?

[Sandy]

If there's nothing obstructing it's path through to the oil pan and it's stuck due an oil coating may you can flush it through with a good dose of solvent.

[bikemtn]

Get a flat fridge magnet or one from an old hard drive. If it doesn't have a hole for the wire use duct tape and slip it up under the rotor. Use the Force. Pulling rotors shouldn't be necessary and is a whole other can of worms.
How are you in the tunnel ?

Rough drawing....circle is starter clutch gear. Washer fell in the left rectangle behind it...the rectangle has the oil baffle horizontally through it. Since I can't find it is the pan I am thinking the top part of the rectangle is where it lies, but I was was wondering if it would go anywhere out side of that baffled area?
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[Brendan W]

I only ever see them until I knock them over. I suspect the oil holds them flat to the floor. Generally when I fish them out they are invisible. You eventually feel a bite on the fishing pole. I always get them back after a minute or two - so far anyway

[bikemtn]

I only ever see them until I knock them over. I suspect the oil holds them flat to the floor. Generally when I fish them out they are invisible. You eventually feel a bite on the fishing pole. I always get them back after a minute or two - so far anyway

Well....wish me luck...I hope oil is holding it like you said! I will let you all know if I am successful....

[chuck hahn]

Pull the rotor and see if its simply wedged. Some needle nose may fetch it.

[bikemtn]

I got it!!! I don't know what I did but must have flipped it up a bit with a piece of wire. Then I could see it. Fashioned a hook on the end and got er out. Thanks for all the support! A huge amount of stress has been relieved.

Derek

[Brendan W]

Great feeling to find the little bleeder.
Now, is the one you found the one you lost

[bikemtn]

Great feeling to find the little bleeder.
Now, is the one you found the one you lost

Ha!! I made sure I had both washers after you said that!!!! All is good!

[growler]

Whew. Way to stick it out and not get frustrated easily (like me).