i think i just screwed up!!!!!!!

[rwnaja]

I am replacing the #8 injector on my 2000 7.3. When i took the vavle cover off i was fitting a star bit driver on one of the bold heads and it slipped out of my fingers. When i when to grab it it fell into the oil journal just underneath the fron exaust valve. I couldnt retrieve it. My mechanic who also owns a 7.3 says it should be ok because that tube is just gravity fed down into the oil pan. I turn the motor over with a socket a few times and drained the oil nothing came out. I just want some more opinions on this not that i dont trust my mechanic bim just scared. I was going to get a soft wire to run down in there to make sure it was clear. All if the injectors, freeze and glow plugs were in when it happened. So it shouldnt be in a cylinder or valve or anything right.

[OregonStroker]

Yeah i think before the oil gets pushed up to the hpop and injectors from the bottom end it goes thru a screen. Usually stuff like that sits in the bottom of the pan. Its not good, but what I recommend is while the oil is drained out attach a small not very powerful magnet to a piece of wire- push it up inside the oil drain hole and sweep around. just make sure you secure the magnet enough so it doesnt pull off! Good luck man.

[ianstew]

A borescope and a mechanics grabber work great for stuff like that.

[barrakudaman]

You may be able to use a powerful magnet on the bottom of the pan and work it over to the drain plug hole.