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GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!!!!!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 4:53 pm
by roadiesean
Trying to fit new HT leads to the '67 and they needed the brass electrodes fitting to the plugs, after losing two of the elctrodes, decided it would be easier to pull the plugs and fit the electrodes, yep, it was for the first one, but I've just lost the left rear plug off the end of the socket down into the bowels of the bloody engine.
What in Gods name should I do ??? This is pretty much the most mechanical thing I've ever done and its all gone t1ts up on the second spark plug.
Can anyone help me out please ???
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:40 pm
by bjmullan
Your post title says down the tin ware but the post says bowels of the engine. So I'm not sure if the plug has slipped or the electrode has gone down the plug hole. First one should be easy to fix the second not.
If you clarify I'm sure someone who is familiar with 912 engines will help.
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:44 pm
by mycar

who would do such a thing ?
As I remember the advice is to leave it where it is, it's not going anywhere. Certainly as time goes on and you start a collection down there you might want to drop the engine to retrieve them but two or three should be fine.
Can you not fish it out with a magnet on a stick thing ?
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:34 pm
by roadiesean
Okay I didn't make myself clear. The electrodes are not the problem. The sparkplug that fell off the end of the socket is. It seems it's sitting on top of the finned bit of the engine.
Any tips of the trade ?
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:58 pm
by mycar
I should point out that I have dropped more than one plug into the tinware and driven many happy miles without too much chaos occurring.
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:11 pm
by Bruce M
I've got 2 (if not more) of those magnet-on-a-stick tools. They get regular use too
Also the best way of finding a joist behind a wall or ceiling

Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:07 pm
by hot66
Magnetic pick up tool . Or one of those long claw type pick up tools ..... Saved me many a time
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 10:16 pm
by jb
A blob of heavy grease on the end of something (stiff wire, screwdriver etc) will often pick up things that a magnet cannot.
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 10:29 pm
by jamie
Leave it for now. Buy a claw tool from China, off eBay, for a few quid and sort it out when it arrives in a few weeks.
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 10:43 pm
by roadiesean
Thanks guys. I'll have a crack with the magnet tool. Hadn't thought of that !
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 8:09 am
by mean_in_green
Can you borrow / buy a cheapy snake camera to go with the magnetic pick up?
We've all been there!
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:40 am
by hot66
these are pretty good

Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:51 am
by Nige
hot66 wrote:these are pretty good

These are great but don't be tempted to clamp it onto you nose as you mess about with your children (assuming you have some) as it hurts a lot and then you have to explain to others what caused the marks on your nose.
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:52 am
by mycar

Who would do such a thing ?
Re: GOD HELP ME !! I'VE LOST A SPARKPLUG DOWN THE TINWARE !!
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 10:18 am
by KS
It's not only your nose you need to worry about... Ask Bootsy.