Dropped feeler gauge down the head of my 1986 vf500f....

Well, I was attempting my first valve adjustment, and somehow, when picking up the feeler gauge out of the front right set of valves, It fell through my fingers into the center hole below the cam chain. Will this cause any damage leaving it in there or should I rip the head off and take it out

:disturbed: :numbness:

Picture for reference (not my engine)


Please help -Devin


**********EDIT: RESOLVED**********************

 

Bummer, dude. That sucks!

Get yourself one of these and see if you can fish it out without removing the heads:

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-inch-telescoping-magnet-37187.html

DO NOT LEAVE IT IN THERE - it can cause massive damage.

 

Didn't even think of that. will go pick one up tomorrow morning and give it a shot. I wont leave it in there!

 

If that doesn't work, something like this might.

http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Claw-Pick-Automotive-Mechanic/dp/B000RB7AGY

Most auto stores should have one.

Don't even think of trying to turn the motor over until you've got it out. Was it a single blade? Or the whole feeler gauge set???

 

single blade. i removed it from a set and bent it to fit under both valves at the same time. (I was told I cant do just one at once)

 

If you dropped it right down the center, it's probably in the oil pan. Dropping the pan should be super easy, just buy a new gasket. Way easier than pulling a cylinder head.

Next time, stuff a shop rag down around the cam chain. so if you drop the feeler it won't fall into the crankcase. Also, definitely do not want to leave that down there. The oil pump runs off a very small chain drive. You don't want that feeler getting wedged in there.

Edit: looks like the gasket is no longer available. You can cut your own, or use a sealant. I've used permatex form a gasket #2 with good results.

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/...ts/permatex-form-a-gasket-no-2-sealant-detail

 

Some steel wire and a rare earth magnet may work in a pinch. Like a coat hanger.

 

Only problem with a rare earth magnet is it will want to grab any steel bits on the way down

 

Yes I agree, a rare earth magnet will probably need to be connected to a very stiff rod otherwise it will just prove impossible to direct it to the feeler. Everyone does this at some stage, I dropped a tiny OBA type spanner into a VF400 camchain tunnel in a past life. Magnet on a stick worked for me. A valuable lesson was learned that day.

 

I've done plenty of valve checks on our dirt bikes and of course, this is one of those "what are the chances" moments. As suggested, I would put a rag in there to help catch anything that might fall in. As also stated, it has to come out. Good luck and let us know how you resolved it.

 

@Norm and Jeremy. Understood. But if you tape the magnet to the end that you hold, it transfers its magnetic energy to the end of the wire you are carefully inserting down to the bowels of your engine. I can't say I know this will work for sure because I have never actually done this on a bike, but have used this method in the past in other situations and it worked fairly well. Now I have one of those expandable magnet wands posted earlier. Now that I ave that, seem I never drop things into tight spaces. Go figure.

 

one caveat to the rag thing, is you'll have to remove it each time you bar the engine over to check different valves. Don't forget.

 

Going to mess with it tomorrow. I work at an auto parts store, And we sell both the magnets and the claws. It's 27 degrees out though, and I don't have a garage. I will keep everyone updated. I'm glad i'm not the only one who's ever done this. When I heard it drop my heart just sunk.

 

Looks like the gasket is a rubber ring, it can probably be reused.

Back a very long time ago I had put a new clutch kit in my V6 Capri, wrestling a transmission in and out is a pia. I was basically done and tightening something on top of the engine, the wrench slipped out of my hand and somehow found it's way in to the bell housing opening for the throwout arm. Had to pull the transmission back out....

 

GOT IT OUT!!! Small rare earth magnet taped to end of a 2ft screwdriver!

I have a new problem now, I suppose i'll make a new post about, as it's a separate issue entirely.

 

Glad to hear you were able to fish it out! That's great!

 

Well there you go, hats off to Randy

 

Occasionally I am not as stupid and crazy as I look and sound.... Somehow that sounded wrong.

 

Magnets are great things to have in your toolbox, glad you fished it oot. I busted a feeler guage in half doing a ninjette 250 years ago, i was thanking someone when i heard that magical clink of the magnet retrieving that foreign part. Cheers

 

Awesome news. Luckily it sounds like it wasn't obstructed once it fell in.