Dropped socket into engine

[MrZig]

DAMMNIT. While readjusting the valves on my GSX400 engine, the ball on my ratchet decides to stop working and it dropped the 9mm socket down the center of the head into the chain/crankshaft area. What do I do!?

[posplayr]

can't hurt

Try a magnetic pickup stick from the top or drop the pan and try and dis lodge it that way.

[reddirtrider]

Yea, try a magnetic pickup stick on it.

Too late now, but close off any area large enough for tools to drop thru when you do this kind of work. I just stuff some clean rags in them, becasue as you now know - **** happens.

[MrZig]

I bought a flexible $7 pickup tool and it got it. Thanks god. I was so ****ed off when it happend. I am Jack's worst enemy.

[MelodicMetalGod]

Well done! Ain't it great when that initial sense of panic is overcome by superior intellect!

[reddirtrider]

Good job, now plug those holes when wrenching on the top end.

[GSXXZRX]

A guy on the ZRX forum put his engine back together after a
valve shim job and forgot about the rag in the cam chain tunnel,
till after the test ride. Turned out to be a very costly mistake.

[pontiacstogo]

Glad you got it out OK. Next time just turn the bike upside down and give it a shake.

[reddirtrider]

A guy on the ZRX forum put his engine back together after a
valve shim job and forgot about the rag in the cam chain tunnel,
till after the test ride. Turned out to be a very costly mistake.

Are you suggesting it's a bad idea or just noting there's idiots out there?

[MrZig]

I think his point is that not everything is fool proof and that sometimes **** happens.

Granted I would think that a lot more people drop bolts into their engine cavities than forget about a rag

[reddirtrider]

I think his point is that not everything is fool proof and that sometimes **** happens.

Granted I would think that a lot more people drop bolts into their engine cavities than forget about a rag

I suppose you gotta' be smarter than the rag.

Don't use a small one and stuff it down the cam chain tunnel to where it's hard to see. Get a nice big one (rags are cheap) and lay it over the tunnel in such a way that it blocks anything from falling in. It's then literally impossible to miss when you bolt on the valve cover.

I can't believe I'm going into more detail on this. I guess that's why mechanics make money.

Anyway, glad you fished it out. Those can be a bear.

[mighty13d]

Glad you got it out OK. Next time just turn the bike upside down and give it a shake.

now that would be something I'd pay to see!

[chef1366]

I use an old sock. Just the right length.

[850 Combat]

Why can't you just buy another socket?

[chef1366]

Why can't you just buy another socket?

I wouldn't want a socket banging around the inside of my engine.