dropped a socket into the engine bay...

[Pandemic]

Yeah, I saw it was right behind the alternator but it somehow went into an area I can not get to. I know this is pretty vague but what do you think? Will it be ok to leave there? It's covered for the next 7-8 months anyway but I'm worried about it. I started it and it didnt cause problems so... yeah. What do you think?

[Leung]

don't you have one of those teloscopic magntic tools used to retreive things?

if the car is going to be parked for 7 months, i'd put a sign right on the dash to remind you that it's there and for people to not start it until it's been removed.

[visualpoet]

If it's in the bay and not in the engine itself, you'll probably never have an issue. It's either safely lodged where it is, or a good bump will knock it loose. I can't tell you how many damn sockets I've lost in bays over the years. If it's really worrying you and you can see where it is, go to the local parts store and get a flexible claw tool. (Looks like a bike cable with a mini claw at one end and a big button on the other.)

[foamypirate]

I dropped a bolt for the mini-heat shield that goes between the alternator and exhaust manifold in that exact same spot last week when putting everything back together after doing my timing belt.

[cp[mike]]

crap happens all the time.

i was pissed off that i lost my 10mm deep socket... couple months later i was at a CB7 meet, and Fatman88 saw it and pulled it out for me lol. what a surprised.

i have a long, thin, clothes-hanger type wire that i keep around, i bent the end into a tiny hook, works well for sliding down through a socket to pick it up and pull it out of whatever corner its in. as long as youre able to figure out where it fell, of course.

[Pandemic]

yeah. It's in the area between the alternator and the heat shield for the alt. I did see it and i tried to get it out but now it's even more wedged and I cant see it. It's not going to be moved far over the next 7 months so I guess it should be ok. Maybe I'll have the mechanic look when it gets inspected. Good to know i'm not the first to drop a socket into an engine bay

[JoshM]

Good to know i'm not the first to drop a socket into an engine bay

DEFINITELY not. I had a socket "somewhere" in my engine bay for about 3 months before it finally fell out one night.