Dropped a bit in my N55

TT6mT · 11-28-2021, 09:36 PM

I was replacing the valvetronic motor on my 2013 F30 N55 and lost a torx bit down the abyss (Picture 1).

Picture 2 is from an endoscope after the first bend down the hole. After that is another bend into another rectangle passage that leads into a pool of oil. I couldn't see any sign of the bit because the picture blacked out.

I'm guessing the bit went down the exhaust side oil return duct? Does this just end back into the oil pan?
Is it safe to leave the bit or do I need to get it out?

TIA

n55david · 11-29-2021, 07:07 AM

you need to get it

TT6mT · 11-30-2021, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom10R

you need to get it

Would it be in the oil pan?

n55david · 11-30-2021, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TT6mT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom10R

you need to get it

Would it be in the oil pan?

probably but maybe not. you need to get one of those little magnets on a string thing and lower in the hole first to make sure its not stuck somewhere. that could save you a lot of trouble.

TT6mT · 11-30-2021, 02:55 PM

Thanks Phantom from the endoscope camera it's clear all the way to the oil. Where else can the oil return duct go?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom10R

probably but maybe not. you need to get one of those little magnets on a string thing and lower in the hole first to make sure its not stuck somewhere. that could save you a lot of trouble.

thejeremyman9 · 11-30-2021, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TT6mT

Thanks Phantom from the endoscope camera it's clear all the way to the oil. Where else can the oil return duct go?

The question isnt only where it goes but also if there are any bends, obstructions, etc, that might prevent it from going all the way into the oil pan. I would second the idea for getting a flexible magnet and trying to prod around in there, assuming the bit is magnetic.

n55david · 11-30-2021, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Quote:

Originally Posted by TT6mT

Thanks Phantom from the endoscope camera it's clear all the way to the oil. Where else can the oil return duct go?

The question isnt only where it goes but also if there are any bends, obstructions, etc, that might prevent it from going all the way into the oil pan. I would second the idea for getting a flexible magnet and trying to prod around in there, assuming the bit is magnetic.

this

TT6mT · 12-01-2021, 03:09 PM

Thanks both, I did try to probe around with a magnet and couldn't see any other places it could go with the camera.

Shaggz · 12-01-2021, 10:01 PM

i had to rip apart a 355 small block chevy a few years back because of a socket... sucks brother. hope you get it easy!

XutvJet · 12-02-2021, 02:59 PM

The bit fell into one of the cylinder head drain passages. The passage makes a fairly sharp turn in the head and then drains into a vertical passage located along the exterior side of the block and then into the drain pan. The bit is either hung up in the passage or is in the pan. You can see the passages I'm talking about if you do a Google search for N55 cylinder heads and blocks.

You could fully drain the oil and remove the oil level sensor and then get an inspection camera in there is see if you can find it and fish it out; the hope being it's fallen into the general area of the drain plug or oil level sensor hole.

TT6mT · 12-03-2021, 01:22 PM

gotty!!

Thank you all for your replies, it helped me going.
I ended up ordering a "V8 Tools 3826 Mighty Worm 26 in" off Amazon. My telescopic magnet wouldn't go down far enough.

Long story short, I spent a couple 10min fishing sessions. 2nd to last try I got the worm magnet in a hard snag and thought I will really need to drop the oil pan to get the bit and magnet out.

After sweating bullets I finally unsnagged the magnet. Then insanity paid off, I straightened up the worm magnet and gave it one last try with finesse. Pulled the magnet out not thinking I had anything, and there it is.

thejeremyman9 · 12-03-2021, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TT6mT

gotty!!

Thank you all for your replies, it helped me going.
I ended up ordering a "V8 Tools 3826 Mighty Worm 26 in" off Amazon. My telescopic magnet wouldn't go down far enough.

Long story short, I spent a couple 10min fishing sessions. 2nd to last try I got the worm magnet in a hard snag and thought I will really need to drop the oil pan to get the bit and magnet out.

After sweating bullets I finally unsnagged the magnet. Then insanity paid off, I straightened up the worm magnet and gave it one last try with finesse. Pulled the magnet out not thinking I had anything, and there it is.

I had anxiety for you lol. Congrats on getting it out. Crisis averted.

XutvJet · 12-03-2021, 01:40 PM

Nice! This tool has been added to my Amazon cart

TT6mT · 12-03-2021, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

I had anxiety for you lol. Congrats on getting it out. Crisis averted.

thanks. Averted for now, but I'm not out of the woods yet.
I'll probably take another 6 days off, give my dad a call and let him know I finally learned my lesson about, "always use the right tools."

Quote:

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Nice! This tool has been added to my Amazon cart

Thanks for backing up the info on the oil return. Yes! get that tool, it's really handy. I fished out a couple of other bolts that dropped in the engine bay.

F32Fleet · 12-06-2021, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Quote:

Originally Posted by TT6mT

gotty!!

Thank you all for your replies, it helped me going.
I ended up ordering a "V8 Tools 3826 Mighty Worm 26 in" off Amazon. My telescopic magnet wouldn't go down far enough.

Long story short, I spent a couple 10min fishing sessions. 2nd to last try I got the worm magnet in a hard snag and thought I will really need to drop the oil pan to get the bit and magnet out.

After sweating bullets I finally unsnagged the magnet. Then insanity paid off, I straightened up the worm magnet and gave it one last try with finesse. Pulled the magnet out not thinking I had anything, and there it is.

I had anxiety for you lol. Congrats on getting it out. Crisis averted.

Awesome!

johnung · 12-07-2021, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TT6mT

Thanks both, I did try to probe around with a magnet and couldn't see any other places it could go with the camera.

Congrats on getting it out. Just read the thread. I was surprised with all of the talk of maybe it in the pan that you didn't drain the oil and put the camera in the pan to see if it was there. Thank God it's out!

Charles B · 12-07-2021, 09:25 PM

You're an official hot rodder now. Welcome to the club.

11-28-2021, 09:36 PM	#1
TT6mT Enlisted Member 10 Rep 40 Posts Drives: F30 N55, WRX Hatch, G87 S55 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bay Area!! iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW M2 [0.00] 2014 Subaru WRX Hatch [0.00] 2008 Infiniti G37S ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 335i M Spo ... [0.00]	Dropped a bit in my N55 I was replacing the valvetronic motor on my 2013 F30 N55 and lost a torx bit down the abyss (Picture 1). Picture 2 is from an endoscope after the first bend down the hole. After that is another bend into another rectangle passage that leads into a pool of oil. I couldn't see any sign of the bit because the picture blacked out. I'm guessing the bit went down the exhaust side oil return duct? Does this just end back into the oil pan? Is it safe to leave the bit or do I need to get it out? TIA Attached Images Last edited by TT6mT; 11-28-2021 at 11:47 PM..
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11-29-2021, 07:07 AM	#2
n55david Check out my Youtube @n55david! 1296 Rep 3,529 Posts Drives: 2017 m240i, 2015 X3 x35i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Michigan USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 m240i xDrive [0.00] 2015 X3 x35i [0.00] 2015 335i xdrive [0.00]	you need to get it __________________ 2017 m240i xDrive 10.99@122.86mph bootmod3 stage 2+ ots 2015 335i xDrive 10.95@124.99mph w/bm3 - SOLD 2015 X3 x35i pwg 12.96 catless w/bm3 stage 2 93 ots IG: @n55david For pics and updates! Youtube: @ n55david For videos or Racing etc
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12-01-2021, 03:09 PM	#8
TT6mT Enlisted Member 10 Rep 40 Posts Drives: F30 N55, WRX Hatch, G87 S55 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bay Area!! iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW M2 [0.00] 2014 Subaru WRX Hatch [0.00] 2008 Infiniti G37S ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 335i M Spo ... [0.00]	Thanks both, I did try to probe around with a magnet and couldn't see any other places it could go with the camera.
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12-01-2021, 10:01 PM	#9
Shaggz Private 26 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2015 335i M sport Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	i had to rip apart a 355 small block chevy a few years back because of a socket... sucks brother. hope you get it easy!
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12-02-2021, 02:59 PM	#10
XutvJet Major General 5543 Rep 5,366 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	The bit fell into one of the cylinder head drain passages. The passage makes a fairly sharp turn in the head and then drains into a vertical passage located along the exterior side of the block and then into the drain pan. The bit is either hung up in the passage or is in the pan. You can see the passages I'm talking about if you do a Google search for N55 cylinder heads and blocks. You could fully drain the oil and remove the oil level sensor and then get an inspection camera in there is see if you can find it and fish it out; the hope being it's fallen into the general area of the drain plug or oil level sensor hole. __________________ The forest was shrinking, but the Trees kept voting for the Axe, for the Axe was clever and convinced the Trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them. Last edited by XutvJet; 12-02-2021 at 04:48 PM..
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12-03-2021, 01:22 PM	#11
TT6mT Enlisted Member 10 Rep 40 Posts Drives: F30 N55, WRX Hatch, G87 S55 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bay Area!! iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW M2 [0.00] 2014 Subaru WRX Hatch [0.00] 2008 Infiniti G37S ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 335i M Spo ... [0.00]	gotty!! Thank you all for your replies, it helped me going. I ended up ordering a "V8 Tools 3826 Mighty Worm 26 in" off Amazon. My telescopic magnet wouldn't go down far enough. Long story short, I spent a couple 10min fishing sessions. 2nd to last try I got the worm magnet in a hard snag and thought I will really need to drop the oil pan to get the bit and magnet out. After sweating bullets I finally unsnagged the magnet. Then insanity paid off, I straightened up the worm magnet and gave it one last try with finesse. Pulled the magnet out not thinking I had anything, and there it is. Attached Images
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12-03-2021, 01:40 PM	#13
XutvJet Major General 5543 Rep 5,366 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	Nice! This tool has been added to my Amazon cart __________________ The forest was shrinking, but the Trees kept voting for the Axe, for the Axe was clever and convinced the Trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.
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12-07-2021, 09:25 PM	#17
Charles B Charles B 60 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 335 M235 Z4 944 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 335 [9.17] 2016 BMW Z4 [10.00] 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo [0.00]	You're an official hot rodder now. Welcome to the club.
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