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Dropped shim. Is there a crankcase vent here?

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    Dropped shim. Is there a crankcase vent here?

    So I was doing a valve adjustment and dropped a shim in the rearmost exhaust side, behind the valve spring. I had put a shop towel in there before starting, because I couldn't see that well back there, and wasn't sure if there was a crankcase vent or not. Now I'm having a hard time trying to find the shim because I can only reach from one side, and the shop towel is in the way. Can someone tell me if there's a crankcase vent here? I want to pull the shop towel out to reach the shim, but if there's a vent, I'll risk dropping the shim in there. You can see a picture here https://imgur.com/VcA2oX3


    #2
    No, there is not a vent there. There is an oil return blocked by a plastic screen. I would remove the towel and fish around with a magnet to find the shim.

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      #3
      Originally posted by robgill View Post
      No, there is not a vent there. There is an oil return blocked by a plastic screen. I would remove the towel and fish around with a magnet to find the shim.
      Great news. I've been stressed out of my mind trying to get this shim with moving the towel. Thanks.

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        #4
        I think plastic screens were only on post-2003 cars, pre did not have them...

        Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

        Youtube DIYs and more

        All jobs done as diy - clutch, rod bearings, rear subframe rebush, vanos, headers, cooling, suspension, etc.

        PM for help in NorCal. Have a lot of specialty tools - vanos, pilot bearing puller, bushing press kit, valve adjustment, fcab, wheel bearing, engine support bar, etc.

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          #5
          My ‘02 has them.

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            #6
            When I do the valve adjustment and lose track of a shim even with towels there I always get stressed out. Each time fishing with a rare earth magnet pickup tool found the shim. Just be patient and you'll track it down.

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              #7
              The early cars dont have the screens... not sure the exact cut in date
              2006 M3 ZCP 6spd
              2008 M3 6spd
              2012 LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale
              2014 Ferrari 458

              Follow me on instagram @ biggreasytaco

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                #8
                Mine is a 2004 and has the screens

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                  #9
                  Lose em all the time. I lost one once I thought for sure if be pulling the motor, this saved me. Use it all the time now fishing for nuts and bolts.

                  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by clawhamm3r View Post
                    Lose em all the time. I lost one once I thought for sure if be pulling the motor, this saved me. Use it all the time now fishing for nuts and bolts.

                    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
                    I've never used that brand before, but be warey off sticking those flex tools where you can't get to. I have seen ones where the magnet is only held on with epoxy, and the magnet itself can fall off and stick to the engine itself. So be sure its on there good before sticking it down an oil galley!


                    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by eacmen View Post

                      I've never used that brand before, but be warey off sticking those flex tools where you can't get to. I have seen ones where the magnet is only held on with epoxy, and the magnet itself can fall off and stick to the engine itself. So be sure its on there good before sticking it down an oil galley!


                      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                      Well, that terrifying thought made me go out to the garage and grab the magnetic tip with a pair of pliers and try twisting it and pulling it lol; it didn't move. Good call-out for this kind of job though!

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