The Razors Edge

[AJB0009]

2004 Ford Explorer 4.0L
(A good vehicle to own if you enjoy working on things a lot).
I was working on replacing the valve cover gaskets today. A real bear of a job. It was going very slow, but okay all in all. I was using a razor blade to clean off the gasket mating surface on the head. I was just about done, when I dropped the razor blade. I’m almost positive that it fell down in the motor next to the timing chain. I’ve looked and looked, I can’t see it.
Thoughts?
The only thing that I can think of is to pull the oil pan. If you’re familiar with this motor though, I am very skeptical of finding anything. There is a large griddle on the bottom of the motor and very few, small openings down to the pan.
If I run the thing with the blade in there, what does everyone think will happen?

 

[Wolf359]

Probably get something like this and fish around and hope it picks something up.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...up-tool/wilmar-magnetic-pickup-tool/82515_0_0

 

[4WD]

Borescope ?

 

[Wolf359]

Oh yeah, that too, under $30.

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Waterproof-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTHWK4

 

[hemitom]

Don't imagine it would hurt much of anything, hopefully just lay on the bottom of the pan .

 

[clinebarger]

It's anyone's guess on whether it will do damage or not.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Don’t think it would do much it would probably get so hot over time that it would deform anyway. Whenever I use a razor blade I use it with my handle so I don’t drop it because I’m bad about dropping things. I normally use a gasket scraper for that to avoid scratching the surface. Maybe take a magnet and fish around or one of the claw like pick up tools.

 

[Wolf359]

It's anyone's guess on whether it will do damage or not.

Would that depend on whether it just stays put at the bottom or floats around and maybe blocks something?

 

[mattd]

As long as it’s not stuck in a chain/guide I wouldn’t be too worried about it. IF it’s in the pan it will likely stay there. But, I would want to KNOW exactly where it is, even if it wasn’t accessibile. Otherwise you have a HUGE disassembly job looking for it, especially if you have to pull the rear cover.

 

[clinebarger]

Would that depend on whether it just stays put at the bottom or floats around and maybe blocks something?

He doesn't know where it is....If it gets caught in a timing chain cassette....Bad things will likely happen.

 

[samven]

Get a flashlight and look real hard at the top of the suspension, wheels, brakes and anywhere else outside the engine it could be. I have done this and sworn the bolt went inside the motor. Spent hours trying to figure out how I was going to get it out only to see it out of the corner of my eye while walking back from the workbench under the back of the tire. Breathed a sigh of relief and cursed a blue streak at the same time.

 

[rob1715]

Awesome album!!

 

[hemitom]

Awesome album!!

Thought the same myself when i first read the title ..