I believe a carb screw fell into intake/engine

How would i go about retrieving the screw from Intake #2? I've never pulled a engine off the frame and could use a few pointers or maybe just a word of confidence. I have plenty of tools and time i just don't have the knowledge or experience.

Any help you could think of would be much appreciated.
Oh the bike is a 1981 XJ 650 Maxim and is awesome otherwise, thanks guys.

 

just the right size magnet on a stick, stuck to the stick REAL well
just make sure it isn't stuck in the valve before you turn the engine over

 

Take the cap off, turn the container upside down and shake it out.

Oh, just kidding.

Do you mean it fell into the intake after the carb was off? Did if fall through the carb? You gotta explain more of where it went and how it went there. If it did indeed go into the runner, you may try snaking a flexible magnet in CAREFULLY through the intake. It CAN'T fit through the valve opening, so you know that it has to be on this side of it.

Dave

 

I'm fascinated, what state of dismantlement was the mill / carbs in ?

 

I bet the screw is laying in the mud under the bike.
dave

 

I was putting the throttle cable in and needed to loosen the two screws holding the throttle cable to the top two of the carbs. It just kinda fell in the engine port. we tried a vacuum from the carb side. Now i will see if i can get anything from the spark plug *crossing fingers*

Now i will try a bendy magnet or a wire with silly putty maybe itll stick to that?

And Hog I laughed when i read your post about the mud, I looked all around the cement on my patio and all engine parts so the only other logical choice is in the motor, right?

 

I think it's pretty unlikely the screw got past the valve. Maybe if the valve was wide open and the screw fell just right......

You can pick up a small magnet with a telescoping handle at any auto parts store. Fish around in the intake well before going through the spark plug hole. Don't forget to look for it being stuck in the cooling fins.

If it is in the cylinder the magnet should do the trick (forget the silly putty, if that falls off you'll never get it out). I had to pull a valve shim out of a quad once because I didn't bother to put the plug back in before working with the shim. The magnet with the telescoping handle did the trick.

 

I agree, sounds unlikely it could fall into the cylinder. But if it did, definitely spend the couple bucks on a telescopic magnet. Good to have in general, I've used mine many a time. Ever drop an oil drain plug into the drain pan? That would not be fun to fish out by hand.. But first, I'd take off the carb rack and examine it and that area of the engine. Start with the easy stuff first.

 

I don't believe the valve opens enough to let one through anyway. got a bore-scope to look farther back the well? Since the engine is on the bike, I still think it's probably laying somewhere on the engine hidden underneath something.....

Gotta laugh out of the drain plug in the drain pan.......I figure my hands are dirty anyway, so I just reach in and get it. the warm oil helps loosen other 'dirty' grease on the hands and they get a little cleaner when I wipe them off.

Dave

 

You could remove the rear fender and get a couple guys to help you "Twelve" the bike (big wheelie)

Shop vac, garden hose, duct tape. Just giving other ideas, good luck.

BTW - he says it's a carb hat screw - aren't those small enough to go by an open intake??

 

I agree. I dropped a screw from the valve cover once and thought it fell in the whole for the cam chain. I looked for an hour on the floor and in the valve area, and was ready to start tearing the engine apart when my dad found it tucked away in one of the crevices in the motor. Try having some one else take a look. Also if its on your patio, how dirty is it? leaves, sand, dirt? Very easy to loose small bits in that stuff.

 

If you think the Screw entered the Intake try a few things, ... first.

Remove the Carbs
Use a BRIGHT Flashlight and Inspect the entire Rack.
Invert and "Tap" on a solid colored blanket.
(Thrift shop)

With the Carbs REMOVED:
Use a Flexible Probe to "Sweep" everywhere it may be lodged.
Sides of Manifolds
Cooing Fins
Beneath Starter
Everywhere it might have landed.

Get some kids and conduct a C.S.I. Trace Evidence Search of the immediate area.
BRIGHT Flashlight -- The kids will crawl-around for an award.

Vacuum:
Begin with Cleaned-out collection bin or Fresh Bag.
Apply Vacuum to the Port you think it went into.
Hold the Vacuum to the Port
Have an asst. move the Crank to OPEN the Valve to allow for MAX Flow.
Search Bin and Bag when done.

 

Did you see it bounce in there or is it just a gut feeling based on it being no-where else?

If it did go in, you can retrieve it. 1 in 4 chance the valve was even open, even less likely that it was sitting at 'max' open. All that being true valves only travel a few mm and the screw head should be big enough to keep it on the up side.

I would use a magnet and if the standard handle doesn't work to 'find' it then firmly clamp a magnet on a 'more' flexible handle like a small fuel hose and you'll get it. +1 to not putting anything (like putty) in there that could become stuck.

The small spaces are easy to find with small objects! I'm getting claustrophobic just thinking about it.

 

I got it!

The bendy magnet worked like a charm! Thanks for everyone's input, it means a lot.

Stay classy, Xjbikes.

 

Yeaaaa! Happy New Year!!! That calls for a celebration. That is one very happy screw and XJ owner! The crowd cheers, it's raining wine and roses...sorry I started celebrating a little early.

Good job man I knew you could do it.

 

Where was it??