dropped bolt into head...please help!

[oung]

hey guys so today i took off my valve cover and found out today that the bracket that goes over the timing chain broke off...i took it off and i also started to unbolt the two bolts that hold it on, well upon doing so, one of the bolts fell from my hand and fell into the gap opening in the timing chain area.....i took out my distributor and it fell even deeper...i tried getting it with a magnet after that and could not get to it....im just wondering if anyone knows where it exactly fell to after i removed my distributor?? and can anyone tell me how i can get to it? i really need help...please....

[Om1kron]

Put your car on jackstands and remove your oil pan buddy.

When that shit breaks regardless this is where it ends up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/om1kron/My%20Cars/1996%20240sx%20Kouki/2009-06-03%20-%20OIL%20PICKUP/005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/om1kron/My%20Cars/1996%20240sx%20Kouki/2009-06-03%20-%20OIL%20PICKUP/006.jpg

[oung]

hey update.....bolt that i dropped was not in the oil pan.....any more ideas? plannin to pull the motor

[Sileighty_85]

flash light and stick magnet?

They make a stick magnet with a flash light built into it too

[j20accord00]

i had good luck rotating the motor by hand slowly. sometimes it doesnt make it to the pan and if you move the motor it may drop to the pan

[stinky_180]

Remove the front timing cover

[jdmisaac]

dang that sucks man
shits aggravating.
but yes front timing cover i would say,.

[codyace]

Either that, or it's laying ontop of the main bearing girdle on the bottom, or potetially stuck in the timing chain guides....

I know it's a PITA, but removing the front cover is a serious job for someone without some moderate skill (not assuming you don't have any, but saying in general). Removing it on a car with a stock headgasket will undoubtedly ruin the front seal, causing leaks regardless of how much silicone you dab in there (as when you push it back in, it'll knock the sealant out. It will also require you to remove the lower pan, and the upper pan (along with cross member.

To me, I'd simply take the lower pan off, remove the cross member (put a jackstand under the front of th transmission, leave the rear tranny cross member in place), and remove both pans. From there you should be able to see it, and or use a magnet to get at it. I'd do anythign in my power to not remove the pump or the head if a stock headgasket/stockish power level car.

[killbillsnj]

remove front cover i agree with that