skl2

And dropped a little bulb down there and then tried to reach it with a long magnet on an extension. The magnet got freaking stuck on something and broke off and is now jammed down there. Nothing I have tried has worked it loose. Even turned the engine over a few times and it still is lodged in there. I just wondered if there was easy access from underneath or should I start removing the belts? F.

Thanks

trophy

The issue is it gets stuck between the engine carrier and the A/C support bracket. There is almost no way of getting anything from there without major surgery. When I dropped my engine I found a bolt that I had dropped when I was doing a belt change from over 2 years ago.....

kjr914

^^^brave...

Just an idea and it sounds a little silly, but....Try an even bigger magnet!

skl2

Yea I barely turned it over and I was pretty nervous. Tomorrow is bigger magnet day and probably belt removal day.

skl2

That was my concern. Wonderful. A long as I can get the damn magnet thing un stuck I can def get the bulb.

Resident Sicko

I have used my leaf blower, magnets on strings, magnets on hangars, even an air hose to get stuff out. Only a few little things convinced me the whole are should be nicknamed "Stargate".

Vandit

I dropped the 24mm alternator shaft nut down there once. I was pissed when that happened! Luckily the extendable pen magnet was able to retrieve it.

Mr Swed

Stargate lol

skl2

this gave me some great ideas....hangar time! thanks.

IXLR8

Use a length of 14 or 12 gauge solid copper house wiring and bend a loop or hook into the end. Bend the length to follow the curvature of the pulley well.

Worked for me.

I don't know how a magnet was going to attract a bulb...the casing is brass.

pp000830

I have lost ignition wrenches and other small stuff down there. . Seems most of it eventually falls out under the car somewhere. A magnet, I don't know. If the likely places the magnet can migrate to does not look like it will cause a belt failure or moving part damage you may want to just let it go.
Heat can have the effect of demagnetizing certain objects also a wound wire coil attached to alternating current wrapped around a ferrous object like a nail touched to the magnate may do the trick.

element

I would start by pulling the rear bumper, exhaust, cats.. that might give you enough additional access.. maybe the tin after that?

phil.

hchc

Get those mirror on a stick down plus a flashlight to visually look for it first then point the magnet in that location. Thats how I retrieve nuts down there instead of fishing in the dark with a magnet

skl2

Thanks for the tips guys. I was able to sleep on it and have a go with a fresh perspective this afternoon. I ended up using a hanger with a hook on the end to move the bulb into sight, then used a new magnet I bought and lifted the bulb out (must be a different bulb casing, IXLR8).

Then, I used the hanger to move the magnet with about a 3 inch piece of metal still attached to it around until I was able to get one of those long springy things with a claw at the end onto the magnet. Pulled it right now, along with a screw the magnet had found! I can now drive without worry!

vincer77

Sounds like you are in good company!