nickid

Thought I would clean my throttle body today, and when I was removing it the small bit tool i was using fell into the bell housing.
What do I do know.

picture added to show where I think it went in and where I can see a silver line where something is taking off the rust as it rotates

tenspeed

Buy another small bit tool...

It could sit at the bottom for years. I once had a spring pop out of the clutch plate. It sat at the bottom of the bell housing and every once in a while it would be struck by the fly wheel and rattle around for a while. I did remove the tranny to replace the damaged clutch in that case. A small bit may roll around in the housing and never catch the flywheel teeth.

Some cars have a removable inspection plate that you could open to get it out. I would do that but I wouldn't remove the transmission unless the tool was being thrown around.

nickid

It's is being thrown about or stuck next to something moving

Kris Hansen

Are you sure it fell IN the bellhousing, not just down into the nether regions? I've lost many tools in that area through the years...

nickid

Oh yes it's in there. It's either bouncing or stuck next to something moving.
I thought it had fallen down the engine but couldn't find it and then I turned on the car and the noise said it all

tenspeed

Sorry to hear that your day is not getting any better.

1. Is there any chance of fishing it out from the top with a magnet?

2. Is there a inspection plate?

3. If no plate, you could cut a hole, remove the bit and seal it. In the USA, electricians use a device known as a KO (knock out) seal to plug unwanted holes in electrical boxes. Cut a round holes with a hole saw, hope that the bit drops out and seal the hole.

You could also cut a square hole and make your own plate.

4. Last option I would resort to is to unbolt the transmission and move it back. Might as well replace the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, throw out bearing, and pilot bearing at that point since everything is apart.

Good luck and keep us updated.

silverd2

What am I missing? What do you think the bit fell into? There should be no opening on top of the bell housing (there is one on the very bottom)...and there are heat shields above both inner CV joints, so nothing "moving" to touch.

nickid

There are a few holes on top of the bell housing where you can see the teeth the starter motor fits into. I think the small tool head has got stuck between the teeth and the housing.

nickid

I might pull the starter motor and have a look, and failing that run the car and hope the wheel is stronger than the cheap bit I was using

nickid