Hello, newbie here. Been lurking for a while, but I've made a terrible mistake and now I need some guidance.

While doing a valve adjustment, I dropped one of the copper washers from the cam cover and the stars aligned to make it roll down into some god-forsaken hole that I didn't even notice before. I've attached an image with the aforementioned hole marked in red.

I have no idea where it leads to and the washer is nowhere to be seen. Since it's copper, I can't use a magnetic pick up tool. I've tried a wire bent into a hook, but I'm fishing blind.

I'll remove the oil pan early next week, but I'm not too hopeful. Can anyone tell me where that hole connects to? Is there any chance it goes straight to the sump and my nightmare will be over?

 

Since its an oil drain, chances are very high it goes strait to the sump. I can't say for sure but chances are good.

 

Bummer!!

I too am reasonably sure it goes all the way to the sump - I would bet however that it narrows at some point - head to block joint and it probably has lodged there.

Have a look at this diagram..........



You need to keep trying with a thin piece of 'stiff' wire with a hook bent in the end to 'fish' it out.

Alternatively remove the sump, find where the oil gallery emerges and blow back up it with compressed air.

Good luck.

Cheers, SB

 

Or you could do this*...........................



And shake it like buggery!

This CBR250 owner dropped two shims down the oil drain.

Cheers, SB

* This is NOT recommended if you live with your Mother, Girlfriend of Wife. In fact ANY woman.

 

Double sided tape??

 

omfg best motorcycle picture ever!!!!

 

Electric guitar string. I sometimes save the old ones for purposes like this. Good luck fishing!

 

That is an amazing picture. I was actually wondering why you uploaded a picture upside down for a while. Sorry, I'm slow.

In other news, I GOT IT!!! Taking off the cams gave me a much clearer view and I could see the most likely trajectory the washer had taken on its way down. I took off the oil pan and voila, it was just sitting there. Didn't have to pour oil down to flush it or anything. I am an incredibly lucky person.

Thanks everyone for posting and giving me ideas. If someone happens across this posting from searching "dropped copper washer down crankcase," I wish you the best of luck. Cheers!

 

Tape probably won't work because of the oil, even if it does stay sticky it'll stick to the walls.

I would agree with the thin wire bent into a hook. Make it a long hook so after you run it as far down as possible and start to bring it up and the wire goes through the washer the washer has a very hard time slipping off.

This is something I though would only happen to me.

 

yeah I had an issue with my 4 wheeled transport recently - similar problem dropping
a bolt down in to the recesses of the motor - borrowed one of these to get the bugger
out , have since bought one with the extension kit