Had a small leak coming from the plastic fuel pump pedestal (beetle engine), so i decided to replace it (on one of my hack motors). The bugger snapped (as they do) and left the stem part in the block. I retrieved most of it except a small piece snapped of and fell into the depths and bowls (of what i think) is the cam gear section. Engine stills spins freely, but should i be concerned ? I know these things are made of some sort of heat resistant plastic, but it shouldn't cause the engine to seize. Is there a chance the engine would happily munch this portion into nothingness over time ?
or is there a trick to retrieve it without a complete tear-down ?
cheers - dilemma daniel 🥲
IF I'M GOING TO HELL, I'M GOING IN A VW BEETLE
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I believe it was bakelite...
it is a brittle material...
but seeing its only a small part it will probably end up in the sump in the next oil change...
I wouldn't worry..
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
It is a bummer because you just don't know the impending doom, if at all.
Piece probably wasn't bigger than 5c piece. Since i have no oil in the case at the moment, i was
contemplating putting it on an engine stand, turning it upside down and see what happens ????
But if these plastic bits are brittle (as it demonstrated so easily when i tried removing it), then i should just
leave it for the mercy of the spinning gears !!!
mmmmmmm.....
IF I'M GOING TO HELL, I'M GOING IN A VW BEETLE
My Family's Swiss VW Buggy Legacy -------->
CLICK HERETry what ever means you can, to remove it.
You wont be the first guy to upend his engine to retrieve schrapnel.
While it is upsidedown,
try a can degreaser and air pressure to dislodge it.
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
Remove it. Upside down will work. It could easily jam the cam gears (if you're unlucky), and goodbye engine.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
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Remove the oil strainer while it's still upright and wiggle your finger around inside and search for it 'cos if you turn the engine over it'll probably fall back to the top and who knows where it'll end up. It doesn't take much to block an oilway.
Cheers for all the advice - I will do a serious attempt at retrieving it, utilising some unorthodox methods such as a small hose attached to
a vacuum cleaner and picking it up via suction and doing a full 180 with the engine (and giving it a good shake 😀 )
IF I'M GOING TO HELL, I'M GOING IN A VW BEETLE
My Family's Swiss VW Buggy Legacy -------->
CLICK HEREAfter all the frustration and attempts, i ended up stripping down the motor. Lucky i did, the brass gear was damaged and needed replacing. This would have
explained why the motor ran rough in the first place. Did it in record time too, 35 minutes from removing tinware to cracking open the case ! A good
outcome to a dilemma. 👍
IF I'M GOING TO HELL, I'M GOING IN A VW BEETLE
My Family's Swiss VW Buggy Legacy -------->
CLICK HERE
