Automotive Electromagent

I don't get what the problem is. Is the K engine radically different to the other red blocks?

Just remove the crank pulley and the bottom part of the timing cover. In fact I bet you could get a small nut out without taking the pulley off - just flex the plastic cover a little.

Many hundreds of turns would be necessary..... And experiments could be bloody dangerous!!!!

Why not just securely glue a magnet onto a plastic or wooden rod????.... Or use a large magnet such as that from a speaker to magnatise a metal rod???

Right. Think of how much wire makes up the coil in a relay. Give this idea up.

Or buy a magnet on a telescopic rod (like an antenna) and / or on a flexable shaft, available from tool supply places. Every toolbox should have these things.

Mike F"

Why not use just either the speaker itself? A telescopic magnet like you can buy in car accessory shops? A big magnet?

David.

Quite, they're powerful too, will pick up a spanner.

No. The sump doesn't connect through to the timing gear - there'd be oil everywhere, if it did.

I think you're right. It *probably* wouldn't do anything, and just sit there until the timing belt is next changed. But it *might* get caught up in the belt and do damage.

How about:

Use double sided tape to fasten a smallish magnet (fridge magnet? - maybe not strong enough) to the timing belt. Turn the engine over by hand (so that the magnet avoids the tensioner), and back again; see if it picks up the nut.

Or...

Pour a strong mixture of sulphuric acid down the timing cover, and dissolve the nut...Err, no?

Or...

Buy the socket to fit the pulley. Consider it an investment, and change your own timing belt next time. In fact it wouldn't be such a bad idea to change the timing belt now (check tensioner, too), unless it's reletively new. But if your budget is seriously tight this may not be an option.

Stewart,

This works very well, satisfying "click" as it picks up the nut. Also, if you lever the pump upwards using top of alternator mounting as a fulcrum ( I used rubber handle of small hammer )you can seal the top ring first time. Thus avoiding the stripdown and chaos I created for myself.

Thanks for the help! ( Big sigh of relief! )

les

You need to complete the supplying of your toolbox, Les . . .

One of the handier pieces to have is the *strong* magnet mounted at the end of a piece of spring(?) about 3' long. This pairs nicely with the similar tool that has a plunger at the one end (like a hypodermic syringe) and three strips (2mm x 6cm) that will extend from the "business" end, each with a right-angle "hook" - great for picking up things that can be seen or, with enopugh "fishing" time, not seen but felt.

bob noble Reno, NV, USA