Yep, dropped a bolt into the turbo outlet.

[Ace2cool]

FML.

Pulling the plenum, dropped one of the 12mm bolts that bolt the boost control solenoids to the plenum down right the hell into the turbo outlet.

Actually, I can't verify that it is in fact in the compressor housing, but I can't find it anywhere else. I'm gonna get a boroscope tomorrow and verify. I can't get it with a magnet or the claw thing. I'm so pissed right now. Any suggestions? Maybe I can get a magnet on the boroscope end? I really really really don't wanna pull this engine right now.

I know I should've stuck a rag in it. Not entirely sure where my head was.

Let this also be a PSA to always, ALWAYS put rags in all the holes you make when you take stuff apart.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

I snap latex gloves over the openings.

No long flexi-magnet like this thing?

http://www.harborfreight.com/flexible-m ... 94614.html

[Ace2cool]

No, the only thing I could find was a magnet-on-a-stick type thing, and the bendy-reachy-claw thing. I'll have to find a better tool store, or maybe just order that from Harbor Freight. Maybe the HF in Huntsville has it. If not, I'll just tape a magnet to a pipe cleaner, lmfao. Gawd, I seriously can't believe I did this. I'm usually the one grabbing rags and stuffing them into my friends' engines.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Got a strong shopvac?

[Ace2cool]

LOL not that strong. I'm pretty sure it's down in the bottom of the compressor housing.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Damn. Harbor freight has a magnet that pulls like 150lbs buy that and try it.

[Ace2cool]

The problem is finding something that'll fit down in the housing. I'm gonna grab a shop vac from one of the stores tomorrow and see if I can suck it out. I really hope it works, cause I'm almost out of ideas.

[Oh Em Zee]

Been there, done that!!! HAhaha
Magnet on a string bro
Make sure to tie several backup strings to the magnet. Swing it in.
My prayers are with you!

[NolimitZ32]

Dude I've got a simpler solution, call Paris Hilton, haven't you seen her video, no shop vac in the world can suck like that. hahahahahahha Sorry I had to, hope that puts a smile on your face.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Magnet flex wand is your best bet.

[Ace2cool]

Yeah, that's on order. I may try magnet on a string though. I'm getting the shop vac from one of our john Deere shops today and am gonna try that out. Not getting my hopes up.

Only problem with the magnetic flex wand is that it's so hard to get it to bend around the turbo. I couldn't even get the boroscope in to see it. We'll see with the wand though.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Also Aaron, when you get the shop vac go to the auto parts store and find a coupler that will fit on the end of it and on the end the turbo outlet. I would try everything possible to maximize the suction power from it.

Wait a minute, its always easier to push something with pressure than to pull it with vacuum, were going about this the wrong way.

First buy this (or something like it):
http://www.mile-x.com/cheetah-ch-5-bead-seater.aspx

Leave the compressor pipe bolted to the compressor housing on the turbo then get a coupler that will fit around the intake pipe and around the end of the chetta compressor.

Tighten up hoseclamps and fill the cheeta to ~20psi and let it rip see if it works and gradually work your way up as needed. Naturally it's possible that it could damage something which would likely be compressor wheel. Depending on where the bolt is, it might be possible the bolt gets lodged in the compressor wheel -_- so yes there is a huge risk. It's just a risk you would have to take unless you want to pull the motor. If it were me and I had stock turbos I would take my chances and go for it because regardless the car would be down for the summer due to the simple fact that one cannot pull the engine and not upgrade things. On the bright side though its possible the bolt just shoots out of the charged side and no damage occurs and you will be up and driving as soon as you put things back together. Also if you can confirm the location of the bolt by using the borescope then its possible no damage could occur.

If it were me I would also find a radiator hose that fits around charge side so that if the bolt shot out it wouldn't hit my car or something.

Hope this helps, I wish I was close to come lend a hand.

[RubyRed300ZX]

I'm probably late to this party. But for my 2 Cents, as an idiot who has dropped more than his fair share of bolts and tools, they almost never end up where you think they are. Unless you saw it drop into the turbo housing, I would spend a little more time with a flashlight and a mirror, and a magnetic pickup. The Z has so damn many places for stuff like that to fall and wedge itself into.

...or, get your car up on one of those rotisseries (auto body shop) and use a contractors tamping machine next to it (turn it upside down and shake the floor).

[Rager]

I'm probably late to this party. But for my 2 Cents, as an idiot who has dropped more than his fair share of bolts and tools, they almost never end up where you think they are. Unless you saw it drop into the turbo housing, I would spend a little more time with a flashlight and a mirror, and a magnetic pickup. The Z has so damn many places for stuff like that to fall and wedge itself into.

i was thinking the same thing. what about the shop vac that reduces down to lets say a 3/4 inch plastic tube? idk

[DCaff300ZX]

I have no solution, but as a guy who ALWAYS drops something into the Hole-O-Death (engine) when working on it I am waiting with GREAT anticipation for the solution...good luck Ace!

[bartZ32tt]

Got an idea. Use a strong round magnet. Go to a home improvement store and find a vinyl hose that the magnet will wedge into. Superglue around the edges to ensure it stays put. Glue it to the end so that only the flat surface is exposed and the outside edges won't attract to anything when you're fishing it down. Buy plenty of length to give yourself enough to work with. Good luck!

[DCaff300ZX]

Got an idea. Use a strong round magnet. Go to a home improvement store and find a vinyl hose that the magnet will wedge into. Superglue around the edges to ensure it stays put. Glue it to the end so that only the flat surface is exposed and the outside edges won't attract to anything when you're fishing it down. Buy plenty of length to give yourself enough to work with. Good luck!

Hmmm, great idea- I have used a similar type of idea for a metal stud finder where you insert the magnet into some rubber tubing and hold it near the wall by the tbing, and the magnet proves stud location and even center as it wants to "walk" there itself.
I bet a smallish magnet forced into some rubber fish tank air line tubing (pennies a foot at a pet store like Petsmart) might just do the trick- the 12mm bolt isn't heavy enough to pull a magnet out of a rubber tube I don't think

[Ace2cool]

I'm probably late to this party. But for my 2 Cents, as an idiot who has dropped more than his fair share of bolts and tools, they almost never end up where you think they are. Unless you saw it drop into the turbo housing, I would spend a little more time with a flashlight and a mirror, and a magnetic pickup. The Z has so damn many places for stuff like that to fall and wedge itself into.

...or, get your car up on one of those rotisseries (auto body shop) and use a contractors tamping machine next to it (turn it upside down and shake the floor).

This man spoke truth. I was almost positive that it went into the turbo. It ended up on the power steering rack. Right in between all the lines.

[Rager]

I'm probably late to this party. But for my 2 Cents, as an idiot who has dropped more than his fair share of bolts and tools, they almost never end up where you think they are. Unless you saw it drop into the turbo housing, I would spend a little more time with a flashlight and a mirror, and a magnetic pickup. The Z has so damn many places for stuff like that to fall and wedge itself into.

...or, get your car up on one of those rotisseries (auto body shop) and use a contractors tamping machine next to it (turn it upside down and shake the floor).

This man spoke truth. I was almost positive that it went into the turbo. It ended up on the power steering rack. Right in between all the lines.

'there you go!

[DCaff300ZX]

I'm probably late to this party. But for my 2 Cents, as an idiot who has dropped more than his fair share of bolts and tools, they almost never end up where you think they are. Unless you saw it drop into the turbo housing, I would spend a little more time with a flashlight and a mirror, and a magnetic pickup. The Z has so damn many places for stuff like that to fall and wedge itself into.

...or, get your car up on one of those rotisseries (auto body shop) and use a contractors tamping machine next to it (turn it upside down and shake the floor).

This man spoke truth. I was almost positive that it went into the turbo. It ended up on the power steering rack. Right in between all the lines.

Nice!
Now if that battery cable bracket back piece I dropped tonight somewhere just below where it lives will ever show up...

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Nicely done, now get some new drawers so the garage don't smell like s*** no mo!

[300ZXttZMAN]

Hell yea man!!!

[Oh Em Zee]

Hahaha, nice to see that you are still alive