While I was upgrading my air filter I dropped my TORX wrench inside the engine bay and heard it hit the bottom.  I was surprised to find out that there is a bottom cover etc.  How does one retrieve fallen tools from the engine bay?

I have a telescopic magnet that will pick up items if you can see them.

 

Failing that drop the plastic under tray down (dozen or so torx screws)

2 hours ago, Gizmo said:

I have a telescopic magnet that will pick up items if you can see them.

 

Failing that drop the plastic under tray down (dozen or so torx screws)

I find it a bit ironic that he has dropped his Torx wrench which he needs to undo the undertray screws in order to find it. I hope that he has access to more than 1 Torx driver.

Classic case of 'Sods Law'

The last time I had something lost like this (and could not be bothered with removing the undertray) I worked out what side the component was on, raised the vehicle on the other side then gently (then not so gently) tapped the undertray until the component dropped out on the low side.

Edited 22 March, 20206 yr by Warrior193
added tip

Don't worry I have another 2, just a rather inconvenient occurrence, for something that didn't need to be screwed on in the first place.  At least the screws stay in, in my Toledo one of the screws fell out and I never found it.

Lesson learned.  For all of us.

 

Better down on the engine undertray, than on top of the battery, along the top of the wings or in the scuttle tray, so that when you slam the bonnet after congratulating yourself on a job well done you bend the bonnet.

Silver1011, are you speaking from experience? 🙂

I have been close to doing it but, touch wood, have not yet been that unfortunate.

Never done it but been close, i.e. the bonnet stay stowed and bonnet in hand ready to slam shut, seeing the offending article just in time!

Well I noticed the grabber my sons love to play with has a magnet on the end, and I was able to manuever it around to retrieve the wrench.  To thank them we did a nie road trip not worrying that a small piece of metal would fly out of the car and give us a problem.