So, i was unscrewing the bolts to my Air box, to check my air filter and i had the last screw at the back that i just couldnt undo,

I had stupidly left my Screwhead bits on my engine bay in there pack, but i knew they was there and was know where near them,

Because i couldnt get this screw undone i asked the man of the house lol (but he still couldnt undo it,). but just before he tried, the clumsy old fool

knocked over the pack and all the screw head bits went everywhere, 4 managed to fall out the bottom straight away, and a few more after i shock the car a bit.

theres still 11 missing that i just cant find or see, im hoping they havnt got anywhere thay may cause damage, any ideas? i was thinking maybe a vaccum with something like tights or a sock over it and it might suck them as the only little.

Anyone else any suggestions ?

Extendable magnet

I was thinking magnet but wont that just stick to other parts of the engine ?

Yes it will but if the magnets strong enough it will pick up a screw piece aswel as stick to engine parts so as you pull it away from the engine parts it will bring the screw piece with it

Yes, a magnet may be useful. But the main thing is DON'T start the engine until you have assertained that none of them have entered the alternator. Obviously, I don't know how big the parts were that fell into the engine bay, but if any get inside the alternator (I've seen it happen in the workshop!), then that can be expensive if you start her up. That's probably not too likely though but you must check. Do that with a torch and your eyeballs. Anything in there is often easy to see. I take it there is no possibility that any have got inside the airfilter box as you haven't got that off yet. But if so, you need to check and retrieve them before starting. As long as that hasn't happened, then you are good, and you should be able to find them with a torch and some hard work reaching around the engine bay. Most will have maybe gathered on the under shield of the engine or the top of the gearbox and you can get those with a magnet most likely. You may find that when you know it's safe to start her, you can move the car forward or backwards and stop a bit sharpish and any you cannot find will just drop under the car for you to recover. Do try and find them all as if you don't and any of them drop on the road it could be disasterous for following cars or motorcyclists. Good luck buddy!

Just though it may be good to make sure none of them are residing near the starter motor contacts as if they short that out as you drive back and forth, it won't be much fun!!

Edited 26 March, 201313 yr by Estate Man

I remember cleaning out the airbox on my Focus, screwing the lid on, then dropping the bit. It didn't drop through onto the ground, of course, meaning I had to take the whole airbox out. It was sitting on top of the gearbox... I'm not sure of the Fabia's set-up, but it may be worth getting the airbox out of the way, so you can see/access more readily beneath it.

Yes, a magnet may be useful. But the main thing is DON'T start the engine until you have assertained that none of them have entered the alternator. Obviously, I don't know how big the parts were that fell into the engine bay, but if any get inside the alternator (I've seen it happen in the workshop!), then that can be expensive if you start her up. That's probably not too likely though but you must check. Do that with a torch and your eyeballs. Anything in there is often easy to see. I take it there is no possibility that any have got inside the airfilter box as you haven't got that off yet. But if so, you need to check and retrieve them before starting. As long as that hasn't happened, then you are good, and you should be able to find them with a torch and some hard work reaching around the engine bay. Most will have maybe gathered on the under shield of the engine or the top of the gearbox and you can get those with a magnet most likely. You may find that when you know it's safe to start her, you can move the car forward or backwards and stop a bit sharpish and any you cannot find will just drop under the car for you to recover. Do try and find them all as if you don't and any of them drop on the road it could be disasterous for following cars or motorcyclists. Good luck buddy!

Just though it may be good to make sure none of them are residing near the starter motor contacts as if they short that out as you drive back and forth, it won't be much fun!!

Thanks for that, They havnt fallen near the Alternator so we are save on that bit and none went into the Air box as it was still closed, i think most of them will be in the under shield so i will jack her up tonight and had a look, i dont want to drive incase they do fall out on the road or they do get in somewhere, but atleast i know there are 11 left to find as thats how many hole i have left to fill with the tools.

I think this will teach you to use somehing like a magnetic tray Trust me, I've done it myself a few times and the ensuing swearing would make a hardened cockney criminal blush !

One very cheap one

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/610mm-Fully-Flexible-Magnetic-Pick-Up-Tool-10195-Draper-5355?gclid=CNPxpczLmrYCFchY3god9EoAvA

U like ones with a torch at the end, little tiny thing .