Hi guys, first post here, however have been lurking for months, learning what I can from you guys.

My 3.0 S-type suffers from a poor idle, so I decided to check the connections to the coils. Didn't have to many problems getting the manifold of, until...

Whats that? A big fat washer down one of the intake ports... Shot straight down and long gone now. Guttered, no idea what to do. Have tried searching for it visually, however like I said, it was long gone.

Those washers as you know are fairly thick, whats the chances of it passing out through the exhaust valve?

Any recommendations?

 

I would find it before starting the engine again. Pull the intake manifold off and get it before it gets a chance to do any real damage.

 

Already started, no sounds that would indicate anything wrong... I stopped it pretty quickly when I realized. From where I'm down to now (will upload some photos) I cant see any damage. The damn things only just big enough to of slid through.

 

With both hernia and lifting belt employed, run to the back of the car and lift it up whilst someone looks to see if the washer comes into view, then flip the car over to allow it to drop out. Kidding, but no really. If the washer doesn't come into view, as the previous poster suggests, take off the intake manifold.

 

^ +1 on what they said, you need to find it.

The chances of it going safely out the exhaust are a liitle better than Nil.

 

I'd say those odds are generous. However, by the same reasoning, the chances it's got past the inlet valve are fairly slim.

 

Just curiously, would it be possible to stick one of those "pencil magnets" into the port? The washer is most likely a ferrous metal, and the manifold not, so you might be able to fish it out without the tear down.

 

That's what I was thinking too. Get one of those antenna-magnets that they sell at the auto parts stores. I usually see them in the check-out isle next to the candy bars & keyrings.

 

Intake manifold and plenum off, no sign. Im a novice past this point. Ideas?

 

You removed the intake manifold? The washer may be lodged in the intake manifold. Dig the sucker out. Run a stiff wire through the runners/ports.

 

Yes, manifold off, no sign, these arnt your ordinary flat washers, they're chunky *******s, similar to the ones on these screws;

Google Image Result for http://static.1aautoimages.com/partimage/EMX/1AEMX00067/main.JPG

 

To re-cap, you removed the manifold, but dropped a big fat washer down one of the ports. Decided to put it all back together and start the engine just to see what would happen.

Very strange.

I'm with the others, if you are sure that the washer went in, then a fishing trip is in order. Stiff bent wire, magnet, whatever.

It must be in there somewhere.

I'm not familiar with the S Type engine, but if it is as big as you imply, then I can't see it getting past an inlet valve without attacking something.

I would hope that you are still at the undamaged engine stage, and that the thing is just jammed in the plumbing.

Hope you can fish it out, you've already got a bit of a shopping list to go at.

It is not by any chance just stuck down at the bottom of the hole that it is supposed to go into? Had that one more than a few times.

S Type Intake Manifold R&R.

 

Won't it be inside the cylinder head wedged between the valve guide and intake port?

 

Sequence of events.

1. Removed intake manifold and checked electrical connectors to coils, assessed condition of plugs - All fine.
2. Put the manifold back on minus one washer, thought it was just hiding in my tool box or under the car in the grass.
3. Started engine and moved car, stopped engine, searched in grass etc, very thoroughly - No luck
4. Had gut wrenching feeling.
5. Removed manifold again, along with plenum and assessed, no visible damage. I can see the valves from where i'm looking, 12 in total. none look in bad shape what so ever.
6. Used another washer that's the same size to check whether one could have fit through the port, only just...
7. Referred to the helpful guys at JF.

 

FOUND IT! Phew!!!!!!! A thousand thanks, it had wedged itself onto the underside of the manifold, you would never see it if you didn't meticulously inspect. Thank you all.

Now I just have to redo my front upper and lower ball joints, control arms etc, replace the solenoid block and install a new shift kit on my 5R55N and shel be right as rain.

Thanks again all, will be in touch.

 

Good news - did you get a photo for us ?

 

Good result!!

 

Way to go! Ya had us at the edge of our seats, hoping the washer didn't make it past the intake runners.... Keep her going.

 

Hooray! Any fix is a good fix lol

 

When working on the engine near grass. Put a white sheet under the area to catch any nut or bolts that jump out . It makes them easier to find.
But they maybe still caught in the engine area.