flin

I was removing the ICV from my 98 4.2, one of the nuts dropped. While I tried to recover it, it fell deeper, into a hole where I can see some gear teeth ...

I tried to take a picture of that hole, but was too difficult. The only way I can see it is from the driver side firewall, push a bunch hoses towards the front, and point a flash light down. I think that might be the flywheel the starter is engaged to.

When I first started the engine, I heard a sound like the nut being tossed and hit some thing. But that was it, no more unusual noise.

Am I doomed?

tozoM8

Get a telescoping magnet and you can take the nut out.

flin

Finally found a good picture from audipages:


The nut fell into the opening at 3 o'clock. I am guessing at 5 o'clock is the big hole you were talking about.

Why in the hell do they open these two holes?

tozoM8

all transverse engines. The hole at 3 o-clock is a crank sensor location for the V6.