So I have been in process of completing a timing belt. Everything has been fine (at least since I got the crankshaft bolt off). However, today after putting on the timing belt, I went to do the balancer belt. I was performing this portion of the repair from the manual:

I didn't use a screw as I didn't have one. I used a drill bit. I got everything lined up, and then I put on the balancer belt. I decided to rotate it once to make sure the belt was on there. And I forgot about the drill bit. Now mind you, I did the rotation by hand. And that was enough to break a .35-.45 section of the drill bit clean off inside the hole of the rear balancer. This means (from what I can tell) that it is somewhere near the crankshaft or it fell down into the oil pan.

My question is what is the best way to try and get it out? Should I drop the oil pan and put a magnet up through and see if I can get it? Or better see if it fell into the oil pan? I stuck a magnet through the drain plug hole and moved it around but I didn't get. I made sure the drill bit metal is magnetic too.

So if anyone has some advice let me know. And also, by dropping the olil pan, do you have some access to the balancers and the crankshaft? And would a magnet even fit?I don't know quite enough about all that.

Thanks.

 

This sucks..I don't know dropping the pan or taking oil pump off is more efficient...hopefully someone chimes in soon..I use a screwdriver to lock shaft..but too late for that...

 

I’ll look at what it takes to remove the oil pump. Doing so gives a pretty good window to look in and put a magnet through?

Also I have a 2000 Honda Accord 4 Cyl Manual. I think you were you posting on my other thread hondlave 1342 about that super stuck crankshaft bolt I got on Monday. So I appreciate the advice on both now.

Thanks.

 

I would hold up on moving forward until someone chimes in..

 

The oil pump is nearly impossible to get off without the engine out, and also the oil pan needs to come off to get the oil pump off anyway.

drop the pan. if the drill bit bit isn't in the pan, check around on top of the main cap girdle (aluminum brace). those are really the only two places for it to fall.