i just dropped a ratchet head down into my engine bay

[thechronic]

what is the best way to get it out?!

[ArizonaG35]

I've been there dude... If you have another car available, go to the auto parts store and buy a 6lb telescopic magnet wand. Best investment I've made when it comes to dropping tools in the engine compartment! it's about $10 or less, but WELL worth it... you don't want that ratchet head getting caught in anything

[zozoka1212]

If it landed on the tray at the bottom and you can see it than get the telescopic magnet. Made for this things and hard to reach places. If you can't see that try to launch(fast , really fast) your car forward and backward several times. I had success with that before. I had a bushing stuck in the bay where I couldn't see it. 2nd try to backward did the job.

Zozoka

[Gimli G35]

Magnet is best bet,

[zozoka1212]

Magnet is best bet,

If you can see it.

zozoka

[zozoka1212]

I love those magnets and they have the telescopic mirror also. I have that too. God that's a usefull tool also.

Zozoka

[ArizonaG35]

Even if you can't see it... just wave that "magic wand" down in the bottom of the engine compartment or close to the area where you think it is and that sucker will get it! Get a good shop light or blinder flashlight... you'll find it! PATIENCE GRASSHOPPER!

[Gimli G35]

more drastic way .. get a powerful air conpressor and just shoot around lol

ive did that once , because i couldnt see a mini wrench i dropped into someones engine bay. (only if the object can be pushed by air)

[ArizonaG35]

If you have an air compressor, I'm with Gimli blow the snot out of the engine compartment and something will jar loose...

When I was installing my Intakes, I dropped about 5 screws down in the engine compartment... I didn't have a compressor so I fired up the leaf blower for about 20 minutes until I thought about the magnet idea... Picture me standing in my garage in 115 degree heat with a leaf blower at full throttle under the hood of my new car and cussing like a drunken sailor... my wife came out in the garage and looked at me like I was nuttier than squirrel tirds!

[zozoka1212]

Tell her next time just turn back and get the camera to tape it. Man I just pictured it. That would be funny to see.

Zozoka

[telcoman]

If the other previous methods in this post do not work obtain a 3 ton hydraulic jack and a pair of ramps. Jack up each side on a level surface using the jack points as described in your owners manual. Place a ramp under both front wheels. Go under the vehicle with a 10mm socket & remove the fiberboard shroud You should find your rachet there. You may as well change your oil & filter at the same time.

Telcoman

[thechronic]

ya i jacked the front left wheel up off the ground, crawled under, and reached my hand up and got it. thank god. i also dropped a washer down, i looked for it but didnt really worry about it because it was a tiny washer and figured itd just come out. i got the parts all installed tho and i love the roar and extra boost it gives you

[szh]

Sometimes, you can also use one of those "gripper" tools that opens little prongs when the button at the back-end is pressed in.

I have retrieved some pretty small parts (like small screws) with this tool. I think I got mine from Brookstone many years ago.

Z

[szh]

Sometimes, you can also use one of those "gripper" tools that opens little prongs when the button at the back-end is pressed in.

Something like this ... take a look at the picture on the bottom right!

Z

[zozoka1212]

Yea I love those things too. I borrow one from the maint. guy in the shop once. It works pretty good.He had one witth the 3 jaws.

Zozoka

[Gimli G35]

spring jaws are amazing tools for auto shops ... i had to fish out a little tiny rubber hose from far into the engine compartment and i was like "hmmm , 3 inch hole .. 7 inchs deep .. little tiny hose ... " ... Ding! Spring jaws!

^^^ also thats if you can see it , if you cant .. dont try the claws ... congratz on getting it out , and your wife should of recorded it ... Americans Funniest Home Videos!!

[thechronic]

hahaha ya she shouldve. cept, itd be my girlfriend haha, i dont even know if its legal for me to marry at 17 haha

[Gimli G35]

was speaking to Arizona .. but ok .. lol

guess what just happened to me today.... i dropped a CD into my engine compartment .. i dont know how .. but i did ..

Be warned!!! CD\DVD's are hard to get out from the bottum of the engine bay!!

[thechronic]

hahaha my bad, ya i just read his post...and ya thatd make for a great video

[gwoods]

almost 3 years ago doing cam and valve springs in my truck... lost 2 valve locks (they shoot out sometimes). The motor was open (valve covers/timing chain cover ect) but the holes were plugged with shop rags. We swept the motor holes with magnets swept the entire engine compartment could not find the valve locks. Buddy helping me wanted to pull the oil pan. I'm like there is no way they are in the pan. Fast forward almost 3 years.... I broke ring land in #3 have to pull the pan to install new rod/piston. What do I find 2 valve locks in mint condition!!

Bottom line if you drop it and can't find it IT IS INSIDE THE MOTOR LOL.

Jeff

[zozoka1212]

wow

zozoka

[gwoods]

Dodge Ram Hemi is fast or reliable you can not have both LOL

This is why I will NOT modify the G35

[Gimli G35]

ddaaaaammmmmmnnnnn!!!! i guess he went FAST ?

what mods did he get ? or did he do direct port nitrous?!?!?!

[zozoka1212]

but don't rely on it.

doesn't look to good.

Zozoka

[gwoods]

It was low 14 on the motor. Only used nitrous once (thats what they all say) My 07 G is faster without mods so I can relax and work on my Jeep.