Technical I dropped something in my engine

[bruut88]

Hello, long time lurker first time poster here.

I was adjusting the tappets on my classic 500L when the top of one of the adjusting screws broke. It can still be adjusted so no problem there, but the bit that broke off fell into the (I think) oil vent tube, if that is what that is. See picture for clarification.
Does this mean it dropped all the way down and can cause no harm or am I in trouble. I am afraid to start the engine right now.

Please help!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Its of concern. Can you not get the pushrod out and use a telescopic magnetic probe? Its big enough to go down and stay down so all is not lost. If you are titally unable to get access for a magnetic pick up I would turn the engine by hand and see if there is any resistance anywhere before panicking. You could at worst remove the sump and see if its fallen right through. Sorry to hear of your trials.

 

[Goldnrust]

Personally, I would not want to risk running the engine without finding the broken piece. There’s just too much to risk if it were to end up in the wrong place.

A magnetic pick up is a good idea, but I wouldn’t expect a particularly high chance of success, depends how lucky you’re feeling.

The only way to be sure you’ve got everything out, would be to remove the sump.

 

[Toshi 975]

That is quite a small fragment of metal which is not desirable to have foreign bodies floating around in the engine but if it dropped down that tube it is unlikely to do any harm. It will either lodge at the bottom of the tube or fall through to the bottom of the sump where it can’t be sucked up by the oil pickup tube because of the gauze filter.

 

[bruut88]

Holy sh*t it worked!

Thank you all for the responses. I knew I would never drive with an easy mind knowing it was in there so I was preparing to remove the sump when I remembered I once bought a cheap chinese endoscope. Lo and behold there it was:

I had to remove the rockershaft to gain access but with a McGyver-ed magnet rod I was able to get it out.

Needless to say I am very relieved.
Thanks again!