Oh B******s!!!!

[Jaye R]

Sod's law has struck!!!

Have managed (don't ask me how) to drop a rolled up piece of paper down the hole where the front n/s spark plug fits

Will this matter in the great scheme of things? Or will I have to strip the engine down to retrieve it???

Cheers
Jaye

[Bobhon]

Jaye, sorry but I think that you already know the answer to this one.
Shouldn't take too long to lift one head?

Bob

[tvrgit]

How big a piece of paper? Would you be able to get one of those 3-finger probe things on to it? Or one of them keyboard hoovery doo-dahs?

[Last S4]

If its a small piece of rolled up paper (had to be small to fit down the plug hole) surely it will burn away on the ignition stroke? Or even go out the exhaust valve and burn away?
I dont think it could damage anything as its a combustable, weak material.

[Jaye R]

Quite a big bit I'm afraid - OK it was masking the hole whilst the engine was being painted - slipped when removing it & hey presto down the hole it went

Looks like I'm going to take my first exploratory mission in removing the next layer of engine to find it - ho hum

Cheers
Jaye

[Last S4]

There must be an easier way. If it was metal or something like that than I would completely agree - but stripping an engine for paper seems a bit OTT.
What about turning the engine over with the plugs and leads removed? See if it is forced out the plug hole through compression. At worst you would only have to strip the engine to the same level anyway.

[jhfozzy]

Could you pour a little petrol down the hole and burn the paper, then hoover the ash out?

[phillpot]

I'd go along with Last S4. think it will just get burnt and spat out the exhaust.

Or, how's this for an idea bring the appropriate piston up near TDC, pour a little lighter fluid in and try to burn it before starting engine ? Could even make up an adaptor for the vacuum and try to suck majority of ash out ??

Somehow I suspect I will get shot down in flames (no pun intended) for this idea, but it is just an idea !!!


ETA Great minds think alike .

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 5th January 22:11

[Last S4]

jhfozzy said:

Could you pour a little petrol down the hole and burn the paper, then hoover the ash out?

Well worth a try I think.

[Last S4]

phillpot said:

I'd go along with Last S4. think it will just get burnt and spat out the exhaust.

Or, how's this for an idea bring the appropriate piston up near TDC, pour a little lighter fluid in and try to burn it before starting engine ? Could even make up an adaptor for the vacuum and try to suck majority of ash out ??

Somehow I suspect I will get shot down in flames (no pun intended) for this idea, but it is just an idea !!!

I with you on this idea too.

[R60EST]

Send Emsman a PM . He's a dab hand with this sort of thing , setting fires with lighter fluid etc

[Barkychoc]

how about holding a vacuum cleaner against the spark plug hole and turning the engine over by hand - you'll get a through draught with the valves open and with a bit of luck it will suck it out the same way it went in!

[Jaye R]

Chaps

As ever, thank you all for your suggestions I will be trying all before I even attempt to start taking the engine to bits.

As the engine bay is still all in bits I will have to turn the engine by hand anyway - will look at doing this once the snow disappears & I can roll the car out on to the driveway.

Many thanks again & I will let you all know how I get on - once I give it a go

Cheers
Jaye

[RVVUNM]

Turn the engine over without the plug in and the compression should blow it out.

[clarenceboddiger]

jhfozzy said:

Could you pour a little petrol down the hole and burn the paper, then hoover the ash out?

Sounds a good idea but keep your face away from the hole when you light it

[Elfit]

clarenceboddiger said:

Sounds a good idea but keep your face away from the hole when you light it

........as the actress said to the bishop

[ketvrin]

jhfozzy said:

Could you pour a little petrol down the hole and burn the paper, then hoover the ash out?

That sounds like the kind of game you play at drunken parties

Just take the heads off Jaye... you know you want to and when they are off you will be able to buy some gas-flowed stage 3 superwhizbang gofaster heads

I'll come and watch some wednesday nights if you like

K

[Jaye R]

Kev

No! I really, really don't want to start taking heads off/apart - however, if I need to and your offering to pop round and help then you're more that welcome

Alternatively, you are also more than welcome to pop over and watch me 'light the torch paper' and see what happens

Cheers
Jaye

[ketvrin]

I'd be honoured mate

K

[MnS]

Think you need something like a large bead ball grabber

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LARGE-BEAD-BALL-HOLDER-GRABB...

It might do the trick, or you might find something similar, be cheaper than head off etc if they will fit in the opening
found these as well
http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/29/flexible-grabber-...
http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/catalog/product_view.a...
http://www.cqout.com/item.asp?id=5451880
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Spring-Claw-Flexible-Grabber...