I took the valve cover off of my 99 xk8 as I wanted to check the valve cover gasket as I had a small leak. In the process of removing the valve cover 7 of my valve cover bolts fell out and onto the motor. I managed to find 5 of the 7..... I cannot locate the last 2. My question..... Is it possible for the valve cover bolts along with their rubber washer and sleeve to make it down to the oil pan via the cam chain tunnel? I can take the oil pan off but I don't want to do that if there is no possible way for the bolts to make it down there. I did check the cam chain tunnel with a camera and didn't see the bolts.

Thank you in advance.

 

Yes, they can do that. But they can also get hung up on the way down.

 

Thank you for confirming what I kind of knew was the answer. Guess I'm dropping my oil pan.

Thank you.

 

To be honest, finding them in the oil pan will be a bonus - it's really easy to get off. But if they're not there, taking the front cover off the engine is a whole other magnitude of hassle.

 

Before doing anything else I would obtain one of those small magnets on a telescopic pole and try wiggling that around in the chain tunnel. You might even get it down to the oil pan and into the oil.

Richard

 

I hate it when that happens ! Yeah, what he said ^^. Those telescoping magnetic thingees are an essential tool.

 

I have a magnet but the head was to big. I will purchase a new magnet today with a smaller head and give it a go. I have looked everywhere and can't find the 2 bolts, not on the floor not laying on anything under the car. So I'm hoping the magnets work.

 

Removing the pan is a good idea even if the screws are retrieve with a magnet. The may be old pieces of plastic chain guides in the oil pickup screen.

 

This brings up horrible memories of one of the dumbest things I have ever done--in my younger days. I had a 1970 Roadrunner and was always tinkering with things, one of them being adjusting the throttle plate in the 4 barrey Holley (for the younger ones here that was a carburetor). To do so you used a drill bit of a certain diameter. Well of course it slipped out of my fingers and dropped to the base of the carburetor. I could see it sitting there but had nothing to reach it. I figured I could drive to the local hardware store to pick up a magnetic probe and I also figured the but would not go anywhere for the short drive. I guess I don't need to tell you what happened. It still makes me cringe when I recall this from 50 years ago.

 

Oil pan removed no screws, also no chain guide plastic..... I've sent a magnet up and down the cam chain tunnel as well as a camera.... don't see anything. I guess the bolts must be on top somewhere.... I'm talking full cam cover bolt, with the sleeve and washer..... I don't actually see how 2 of them could have gone down the cam chain tunnel and me not be able to see them....


Taking a few minutes to cool down and will continue searching.

 

Unfortunately, there are many places where small parts can fall and not make it to the floor.

 

The bolts have been found. One ended up under the motor on the subframe, took some contortion to see that. And one was jammed under the fuel rail out of reach of my magnet. I went and purchased a smaller magnet with a flexible shaft and found it.

Thanks to all for the help.

 

Well done....