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Dec 21, 2011 | 10:47 PM

Sheryle

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Need advice

While removing valve cover on a 2.9 I lost a bolt . I have searched over, under and around. I tried a magnet down inside the head and every opening and crevice. No luck. Any advice would be appreciated. I don't want to remove the head but I don't want to bend a valve or break something. Thanks.

Dec 21, 2011 | 11:07 PM

Bullitt390

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Are you sure it fell into the engine? There are a lot of little crevices along the frame, cross members and suspension for little bolts to get lost in.

Josh

Dec 22, 2011 | 12:16 AM

RangerRuss

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Did you drop the bolt before you physically removed the valve cover from the engine - common happening and you are not the first nor the last person to do this. If so, Bullitt is correct in that the bolt could be lodged between the engine and an accessory or along the frame somewhere.

Russ

Dec 22, 2011 | 09:03 AM

Sheryle

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Gentlemen,
Thank you for responding. I lost my grip on it before I removed the valve cover. Trying to be too fast, I guess I pushed the bolt into an opening above the valve cover. It was a bolt from the top row. When I got the cover off I looked for the bolt. Fearing I could have dislodged it when I was twisting and turning the cover to get it out I turn to the experienced. As I stated I have looked down in every opening with lots of light. I pushed a magnet down and around and no bolt. I am leaning towards turning the motor over with the starter and see what happens. Maybe I should pull the plugs and turn it over a couple times by hand. Your thoughts?

Dec 22, 2011 | 10:08 AM

RangerRuss

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Sounds like the errant bolt took hiatus prior to the valve cover being dislodged from the cylinder head. Many possibilities for its hidey-hole. Turning the engine over slowly sounds like a good precautionary measure. If the bolt is not lying around in the rocker assembly somewhere I think it is unlikely that it would have gone down inside the engine any deeper. It is more likely to be either in the intake area on top of the block or down the side caught in an engine accessory. Using your magnet, like you said before is likely your best bet.

Russ

Dec 23, 2011 | 05:44 AM

Sheryle

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Thanks I will try that and report back for future reference. I will not be working on it again until after the holidays. Merry Christmas.

Jan 25, 2012 | 08:35 PM

Sheryle

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Lost valve cover bolt

Update.

This past week I started the truck and no banging so no bolt inside the engine. I was only going to bump it over a couple times, instead it cranked. It ran fine with no extra sounds so I replaced the valve covers. Thanks again for your help.