so i was changin my plugs and the valve cover seal today, and i fumbled a nut into the cylinder head. i don't even know where to begin on tackling this one, i listened to my buddies and tried starting it, but she killed herself quickly and probably thankfully.

my first idea would be to use a powerful vacum, though i don't know where i'd get one. anyone else have any idea's on how i can go about solving this one without a rediculous repair bill.

try one of those small magnets on a pole:dunno

You're crazy for trying to start the engine with a nut inside the cylinder.

Beg, borrow or buy a shop vac from Home Depot. May help to put a sock over the hose so it can catch it and you can see it. May have to bump the starter to get cylinder TDC.

I know, I know, that is dangerous.

I'm not sure I understand where the nut went. If into an open spark plug hole (into a cylinder), you might be able to fish it out with a magnetic pickup when that cylinder is close to TDC. Otherwise the head will have to come off. If the nut did go into a cylinder, trying to run the engine has probably done serious damage, as in bent valves, in which case the head will need to be rebuilt.

On the other hand, if the nut fell into the valve area and it is not visible, it probably fell all the way to the sump. In that case you may be able to flush it out the drain hole. Otherwise, you can drop the sump and retrieve the nut.

*sigh* head rebuild is way beyond me, any idea what kinda cost that's gettin into? it clinked around inside for about 3 seconds then killed itself.

Well if the nut made the engine stall then it sounds like the damage has already been done.

First go and smack your "buddies" upside the head for suggesting you could blow a nut out of the cylinder by starting the engine. Then give yourself one for good measure - and another one if you put the spark plug back in before trying this trick. Unfortunately, clinking sounds are never indicative of success in this sort of endeavour ...... your only chance might have been to use a magnetic pick-up. By now, the nut may be jammed into the exhaust valve port, or smooshed into the top of the piston and preventing a valve opening . ... cringe ... it's definitely time to get the head off!

Dude What were you thinking. A magnet when you first dropped it would have gotten it out easy. Starting an engine that will turn 6 or 800 rpms at idle with a nut in the cylinder is suiside! Dont just hit the friend who sugested it make him pay, with money or beatings!:nono

Most likely it got lodged into one of your valves most likely one of the exhaust valves. What I would suggest is to try to fish it with a pole magnet and even turn over your engine backwards to drop it from the valve if its being help up by the valve, but to be honest if it was the nut that stalled your engine your in a world of hurt as far as the condition of the cylinder head. As I suggested...... wont hurt to try to bump over the engine backwards and try to fish it out... then see how your engine faired out.

I dont know if you can on bimmers but I had some american cars that I could rotate the crank pully to find TDC on diffrent cylinders. That might be a possibilty, better than trying to turn it over without actually starting it.

Pull the all plugs out and attempt to rotate by hand using your accessory drive belts - DO NOT try to "bump" the engine around using the starter motor. If it won't turn clockwise, try to turn it counter-clockwise. However, even if you can by some miracle recover the nut, it is virtually impossible for there not to be serious damage to either the piston or the valves. If the engine will not rotate freely by hand, stop there and get the head off.

uve just destroyed your motor. give yourself a pat on the back. seriously though if you dropped a nut into an engine why would you try to start it.

zomg some people are so absent minded....

You're retarded for trying to start the engine with a nut inside the cylinder.

^^ Fixed

As said, you probably bent a valve or may have even thrown a rod (worst case scenario). In any case you'll need some major engine work.

My friend you'll have to pay a stupidity tax on this one.

I dont think he's coming back...

oh, it's painful just to even read these forums right now... now i read the engine for sale forums. thanks for the help though guys, i do appreciated it, havn't touched my engine since, but planning to dig in with a magnet today and check also to see if any coolant is getting into the oil. now the question is used, rebuilt, or rebuild, sadly.

Before emptying your wallet, check to see what actually happened. Chances are it is a bent or broken valve. From there it might be a cracked piston, but the valve is more likely and probably not anything else, so no need for a new enginie. Pull all of the plugs and try to rotate engine by hand and see what happens. If it does not go one way, try the other way.

From there, get a Helms manual. You may need to take the head off to see what happened, but even that can be done in your garage if you have the inclination.

Just think of all the fun you will have and knowledge you will gain! Besides, it will make great water cooler talk. How many of your coworkers will have pulled a BMW engine apart over the weekend?

Before emptying your wallet, check to see what actually happened. Chances are it is a bent or broken valve. From there it might be a cracked piston, but the valve is more likely and probably not anything else, so no need for a new enginie. Pull all of the plugs and try to rotate engine by hand and see what happens. If it does not go one way, try the other way.

From there, get a Helms manual. You may need to take the head off to see what happened, but even that can be done in your garage if you have the inclination.

Just think of all the fun you will have and knowledge you will gain! Besides, it will make great water cooler talk. How many of your coworkers will have pulled a BMW engine apart over the weekend?

Yeah, he's right. Sorry for being an ass before, I was probably tired :stickoutt.

"All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes." - Churchill

Very true. :drink1

"All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes." - Churchill[/quote]

i would get the bentley over the helmes. if its just head work needed than u can always source a used head from the forums. a s52 motor and tranny from a m3 cost around 4 grand. thats always a possibility.

i would get the bentley over the helmes.

You're right. I just check mine and it is bentley, so what sbblowz says!

BTW, keep us posted and let us know how you make out. Hope it's a happy ending for you. Tell your friend he's an asshole or an idiot.

Since you've likely f'd up a valve do a leak down test to check for damage. If its bad forget fishing the nut and just pull the head.

If the leakdown is good, go to Vegas. When you get back. Pull the exhaust manifold. Rotate engine by hand to open the valves and fish out the nut. Spark plug hole is probably not do-able.

Hopefully it is just a valve. DIY can be done for <$600, maybe a little more for broken bits.

my bimmer prevailed despite my best shot at stupidity. just some belt valves, hopin to have her back on the road in less than a week. thanks everyone for the help and advice.

That is good news! Are you doing the work yourself?

wow..... you are lucky as hell!

Cheers!