HELP! HLA fell into a hole in my engine?!

[spyder97gs]

So recently my lifters have been ticking horrendously. Well, I just lifted one of the rocker arms, and one of the lifters dropped down into a small hole, and disappeared somewhere into my engine. Where do those small holes go?! Im scared to start my engine, and I wish I could have never done this now. I have a 4G64. Would someone care to elaborate on this? Im in serious shit if I don't get this taken care of ASAP.

 

[Zex4g63]

Get a small magnet and retrieve it.

 

[spyder97gs]

Ive been trying that for the past 20 minutes now. Would it have just dropped down into the head? I've never torn that far into an engine, and really hate messing with the timing.

 

[hewhoisknot]

sparkplug hole? bolt hole? valve port?

 

[spyder97gs]

I am 99% sure it is a valve port. I went out and bought a heavier magnet to no avail. Do I really have to remove timing+head to get at this?

 

[spyder97gs]

Latest: I've tried fishing it out w/ a magnet, with no luck. Im not sure wether it was a valve port, or an oil passage it fell into. If it were one of these two, where would it most likely be sitting at? Im in the process of attempting to take the head off. Ive never done it before, but it most likely has to be done. ANY input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[spyder97gs]

Well, I have totally ruined my day, and possibly much more. Today, I was in the process of taking my HLA's out to clean them. One of the rocker arms popped up and a lifter fell down into an oil passage, or some other hole. I've never taken a head off, nor messed with timing. This isn't something I'm ready to tear into. With that said, I am in need of serious advice.

This is my only car. Should I continue on and tear into it? Should I go buy a used junkyard engine and drop that in, and sell this one/keep it for parts? Another option, would be taking it to a shop and having them tear it apart looking for that lifter. This is a 2.4 block, which Ive found no tech articles for. What would you do?

I wish I would have just left the things alone, and lived with the horrendous tick I was getting.

 

[jfdid]

Grab a magnet from your local parts store. One of those bendable/extendable ones, see if you can fish it out like that. Most likely it's still in your head, lodged somewhere. I'd try anything before parting out an engine just because of that.

 

[Bigglesworth87]

I wouldnt double post if i were you. Can get you into some trouble. Just an FYI.

 

[LambdaJoker]

im sure the fishing for it will save you more time and money than anything else.

 

[Redmachine]

Thats why they make extendable magnets with handles. Pulling lifters out of the head or picking up sockets you dropped in those hard to get places. Cost about 5 bucks, and you'll use it again I guarantee it.... You're not the first person this has happened to, and you won't be the last.

 

[oldman]

I'm not in here asking for advice on how to get it out. I'm just asking for advice on what might save me time, plus a ton of money.

Stick paper towel in every hole next time. Hope you find it.

 

[spyder97gs]

Yeah, Ill definitely remember the paper towel idea next time. That thing isnt going to come out no way with a magnet. Ive been trying to fish it out for two hours now. Guess its time to give in and take it to a mechanic

 

[Gigaah]

maybe one of those flexible "grab ass machines" as my grandfather calls them. The little retractable claw at the end you open/close by the handle. maybe some luck there?

 

[spyder97gs]

Here it is. Look at that very small dark hole. It's just big enough to let one of those lifters fit in there. I wish it were as simple as using one of those grab-ass toys! Could someone elaborate on the possibility that it might be laying in my oil pan? It did sound like it took a might drop. Im trying to exhaust all possible ideas before ripping the head off.

 

[spyder97gs]

Well I finally found that SOB. It found its way down into my oil pan. After dropping the exhaust and fighting like hell with one of the bolts above the half-shaft, I dropped the pan, and there it was shining clean. I've got one more question.

What should I torque the head-bolts to? 80 lbs?