I walked into the garage of the shop doing the install of my cams and other parts today to watch for awhile and chat with the mechanic. Nice guy.

He told me a story that has me a bit worried. Apparently he accidently dropped a valve spring retainer while installing the valve springs. He said it has gone down in to the oil pan most likely. He said it will not cause any problems there and may come out during the next oil change (giving somebody a bit of a surprise). He didn't seemed concerned at all.

Should I be really, really worried?

 

what the what???

how does he know it went all the way down to the oil pan? what if it didn't?

have him drop the pan and get it out immediately!!!
the retainer is not going to fit thru the drain hole

 

Jonathan, couldn't you just unbolt the pan, remove the retainer and reinstall with a new pan gasket? I don't think you want thing wandering around in your oil pan

 

Yeah I'd definitely have him find it before starting the car, that's scary.

 

I would be worried too. Get that out ASAP.

 

I'm calling them first thing in the morning to get that thing out of there.

 

Definitely In fact I'd call and leave a message tonight and then call again in the morning

 

since you have to remove the oil pan, just drain the oil to see if it comes out. But I won't start the car without knowing for sure. Or make sure the shop notice their mistake before leaving. Have everything in paper. Keep us posted.

 

How could have it gone all the way to the oil pan?How does he know it's in the oil pan?I would be very worried.

 

I'm guessing he dropped a keeper for the retainers, since there's no way a retainer could have gone that far.

 

i dropped a keeper in the oil return holes.. i learned my lesson about shoving rags down open holes on motors... it was sitting right there in the oil pan, definitely get that puppy out...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm guessing he dropped a keeper for the retainers, since there's no way a retainer could have gone that far.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I was thinking,a retainer is pretty big to go through the head to the oil pan.Either way I would get it out before you start the car.

 

and wtf..if a retainer was dropped (and not found)..what did he use in place of it? lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jonas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what did he use in place of it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Fender washer?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm guessing he dropped a keeper for the retainers, since there's no way a retainer could have gone that far.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I think he means as well.

 

keeper = still nasty for the insides of the motor... and I don't have any laying around b/c 'if' I drop one I don't want to rely on my spare to finish up the job.

paper towles stuffed in the oil return holes + tweezers = saved me a few times.

 

Ouch.. I would be skeptical of this guy working on my car. If he seems to think this is no big deal, and would chance potential motor damage, that's not the kind of person I want working on my car.

I hope you can get it out via the oil pain.. Good luck...

 

Called the shop this morning - it was a keeper and not a retainer (good news) and they are taking care of it.

 

At least your mechanic was honest.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dr Pooface &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">At least your mechanic was honest.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, that actually means a lot to me. Making mistakes happens - it is those people that try to cover up their errors that you have to worry about.

 

I dropped a keeper once too. Did not worry about it (much) and the next time I dropped the pan it was sitting right there. I don't honestly know what harm it could do. It's too small to plug the oil return, and the pick-up screen will prevent it from being sucked into the oil pump.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b19coupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dropped a keeper once too. Did not worry about it (much) and the next time I dropped the pan it was sitting right there. I don't honestly know what harm it could do. It's too small to plug the oil return, and the pick-up screen will prevent it from being sucked into the oil pump.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Their words exactly...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm guessing he dropped a keeper for the retainers, since there's no way a retainer could have gone that far.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Quoted for truth

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Willard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
paper towles stuffed in the oil return holes + tweezers = saved me a few times. </TD></TR></TABLE>


No ****!!!