Dropped a torx in air intake (to turbo). I think I'm screwed.

telkinsjr · 07-12-2013, 07:07 PM

Was finishing up the install of my o2 sensors and low pressure fuel sensor. Everything was going as planned until I was buttoning everything up. I was tightening the bolt you see in the middle of this photo where the charge pipe was attached.

View post on imgur.com

When I lifted the torx driver away it slipped right out of the inset of the screwdriver and went straight down the air inlet. I heard it go all the way doen and hit what sounded like metal, which I assume is my turbo impeller.

How screwed am I here? I am pretty comfortable with directions (plenty of write ups on the forums for o2 sensors and the lpfs) but I think this might be over my head. Is there an easier way to get to the front of the turbo, or is it basically removing the whole turbo.

I am pretty sure one little slip of a tool is going to cost me a lot of labor from my independent shop. I am so frustrated with myself because all my work today went so smoothly, then was totally undone at the last minute. BTW, I know not to start the car now . . the last thing I want now it to have to replace a turbo.

135Pats · 07-12-2013, 07:27 PM

Thats my nightmare, sorry OP. Maybe try to rig up some sort of magnate with a long reach?

Hellkite · 07-12-2013, 07:43 PM

Try a vacuum cleaner. Or try a long flexible magnet you can probaly get one at the local parts store.

bbbbmw · 07-12-2013, 07:48 PM

Or strap the car to a pallet, turn it over, and shake it out. Magnet is prob best...

DBadged · 07-12-2013, 08:03 PM

Put some duct tape (sticky side out) on a stick and fish for it.

cheshirecat79 · 07-12-2013, 08:06 PM

go to home depot or lowes and get one of these things. make sure its magnetic. imo youll be fine.

http://www.amazon.com/MAXCRAFT-60184.../dp/B0042D6H44

mBlesso · 07-12-2013, 08:36 PM

Just take off the air inlet piping and grab it. It will be just sitting on top the impeller.

telkinsjr · 07-12-2013, 09:08 PM

Made a magnet contraption from tubing and pen magnet.

SUCCESS!

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

New21er · 07-12-2013, 09:11 PM

What ever you do, let us know what happened>

nearlydigital · 07-12-2013, 09:43 PM

That's awesome. How good did THAT feel to pull it out of there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by telkinsjr

Made a magnet contraption from tubing and pen magnet.

SUCCESS!

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

telkinsjr · 07-12-2013, 09:44 PM

http://imgur.com/mWBzJw9
http://imgur.com/VaiI9K9

Take 1 thick tube, add magnet, add gorilla glue, go fish.

HeyMoe53 · 07-12-2013, 10:43 PM

Happy to read about the good ending!

rking117 · 07-13-2013, 09:50 PM

I puckered on this one. Pulling the turbo is a pain but doable in a couple hours.

07-12-2013, 07:07 PM	#1
telkinsjr New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sarasota, Fl iTrader: (0)	Dropped a torx in air intake (to turbo). I think I'm screwed. Was finishing up the install of my o2 sensors and low pressure fuel sensor. Everything was going as planned until I was buttoning everything up. I was tightening the bolt you see in the middle of this photo where the charge pipe was attached. View post on imgur.com When I lifted the torx driver away it slipped right out of the inset of the screwdriver and went straight down the air inlet. I heard it go all the way doen and hit what sounded like metal, which I assume is my turbo impeller. How screwed am I here? I am pretty comfortable with directions (plenty of write ups on the forums for o2 sensors and the lpfs) but I think this might be over my head. Is there an easier way to get to the front of the turbo, or is it basically removing the whole turbo. I am pretty sure one little slip of a tool is going to cost me a lot of labor from my independent shop. I am so frustrated with myself because all my work today went so smoothly, then was totally undone at the last minute. BTW, I know not to start the car now . . the last thing I want now it to have to replace a turbo.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-12-2013, 07:27 PM	#2
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	Thats my nightmare, sorry OP. Maybe try to rig up some sort of magnate with a long reach?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 07:43 PM	#3
Hellkite First Lieutenant 44 Rep 313 Posts Drives: 15 M4 manual Join Date: May 2012 Location: S.I.N.Y. iTrader: (0)	Try a vacuum cleaner. Or try a long flexible magnet you can probaly get one at the local parts store.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 07:48 PM	#4
bbbbmw Major General 2394 Rep 6,083 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southwest iTrader: (0)	Or strap the car to a pallet, turn it over, and shake it out. Magnet is prob best... __________________ <OO (llll)(llll) OO>
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 08:03 PM	#5
DBadged New Member 0 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (0)	Put some duct tape (sticky side out) on a stick and fish for it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 08:06 PM	#6
cheshirecat79 Captain 32 Rep 919 Posts Drives: 370z & 135i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Port Saint Lucie, FL iTrader: (0)	go to home depot or lowes and get one of these things. make sure its magnetic. imo youll be fine. http://www.amazon.com/MAXCRAFT-60184.../dp/B0042D6H44
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 08:36 PM	#7
mBlesso New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2008 135 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hartford, CT iTrader: (0)	Just take off the air inlet piping and grab it. It will be just sitting on top the impeller.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 09:08 PM	#8
telkinsjr New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sarasota, Fl iTrader: (0)	Made a magnet contraption from tubing and pen magnet. SUCCESS! Thanks for the suggestions guys.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 09:11 PM	#9
New21er Lieutenant 35 Rep 550 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Stanwood, wa. iTrader: (2)	What ever you do, let us know what happened>
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 09:44 PM	#11
telkinsjr New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sarasota, Fl iTrader: (0)	http://imgur.com/mWBzJw9 http://imgur.com/VaiI9K9 Take 1 thick tube, add magnet, add gorilla glue, go fish.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2013, 10:43 PM	#12
HeyMoe53 Captain 64 Rep 671 Posts Drives: '17 M240 AW/Coral MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central PA iTrader: (0)	Happy to read about the good ending!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-13-2013, 09:50 PM	#13
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I puckered on this one. Pulling the turbo is a pain but doable in a couple hours. __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote