When I was pulling my injectors out of my 96 with 120k, one of the little metal washers that sits between the top rubber insulator and the top injector cover flew into the #1 intake valve, and of course it was open, so it slid into the cylinder And yeah, I know better than to leave the ports unplugged with a rag or something, I was being lazy I've tried everything short of pulling the head, spent almost a day trying to get that washer out but no go.

Here's my dilemma:
a) re-assemble everything as planned with the washer in the cylinder and hope for the best.
b) Or swap in a DE-K which I've been wanting to do anyway, and now just so happens I can get one with LOW miles for cheap. I'm not ready financially to do a swap but I could probably swing it if I had to.

What is the best and worst case scenario to leaving the washer in there and firing it up? What would MOST likely happen? All input and ideas greatly welcomed.

 

Cant lose with the DEK swap.

I can see it now, VQ30 for sale in the classifieds, 200$ OBO with a washer stuck in there lol

 

I would get a magnetic stick with a long extesnion and just start fishing and hope the magnet clings on to the washer. That would be the best way to get it out...
But dont even think about assembling the engine and just leaving it like that... That would be you being lazy all over again... Thats what put you in this position in the first place.

 

Pull the head, and get it over with.

 

Already tried magnets and various techniques with no luck. Pulling the head would be too much of a hassle and still end up with a DE so today I picked up a 16k mile '01 DEK with AT.

 

it's alot cheaper to pull the head then buy and swap of motor, what kind of condition is your current motor in

 

I agree with the long magnet trick, worse comes to worse, pull the heads.

 

Small magnet tied (firmly) to a piece of string, and then after it's down in the cylinder, blast air thru the spark plug hole. That should get both the magnet and the washer moving around, hopefully making contact and sticking together.

 

yeah I tried magnet tricks galore: different magnets, different ways to insert the magnets and move 'em around, squeezed small magnet through open valve, through spark plug hole, tried different piston heights (hand cranked), suction, suction with magnets, every resource I have I tried.

Other than the bad timing chain tensioner causing alot of chain noise until the engine is warmed up (sounds like a diesel), and several small oil leaks, the engine is in good shape. Nothing major. As big of a job as it is to pull the head, I decided I'd rather invest the time and a little money into doing a swap, which I've been contemplating for a while but just not 100% ready. For a little more time I'll have a better engine and the fun of tweaking it to run sweet.

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions

 

good luck with the motor swap, r u sure this was a accident

 

do your A plan if it doesnt work get a 3.5 swap under way

 

Where's the dek love?