If so, watch out for this bit of bad luck.

I had a few minutes to kill early yesterday, and am looking at another couple of months until I put everything together under the hood of the T Speedster project. so I decided to give the cylinders another shot of the Stabil engine fogger - pretty simple right? Well, on the last one sure enough, the little plastic tube shot off the can and found it's way to the cylinder. Uh oh, time to clean up and get ready to go to dinner... Well, I think it will be very difficult to retrieve, will give it a shot by cranking engine over to bring the cylinder up and I might get lucky, maybe roll the driver's side up on a ramp and see if I can get a hold of it but I think I will end up having to remove the head. Not that big a deal as it is already drained of coolant, and I have not inspected it to see just what I have, but it means a new headgasket at the very least. I do not think it has 30 minutes run time on the one that is on there but I would not re-use.

Anyway, this stuff comes out of the can with a lot of force, I am going to attach something to the little plastic tube next time to prevent that from happening again. Didn't see that one coming...

If you can see it through the spark plug hole, try grabbing it with one of those flexible wands with the retractable claws on the end.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GrabEasy-Grabber-and-Retriever-PF0401/202505170

Let us know how it goes!

Try sucking it out with a shop vac…...

Thanks Mark - that is the strategy sir!! I have one of those and they do come in handy on occasion - including grabbing the occasional runaway sock behind the clothes dryer.

I figure if I tilt the car a bit, and bring the cylinder up, it will come into view and (hopefully) want to fall right about where I can make a grab. Otherwise, I am adding a head gasket to my upcoming order, I know this engine received an "at home" overhaul from a local hobbyist - runs well and all gaskets, bolts, etc. appear new, but I do get curious about what's under there, so a valid reason to pop the head off is not that big a deal. I just could not believe it though, when it happened. I have knocked those little tubes off before with WD 40, etc. but never had one come flying off like that due to the pressure of the contents of the can.

Erik, did not think of that one, will try that as well.

Thanks

Steve

I would not be concerned if I couldn't get it out. Plastic, it will burn out and blow out fast. Might have a miss for a little if it goes under a valve but don't see where it could harm anything. Metal yes, I'd be worried. MHO. KGB

I was thinking the same thing Keith. Not optimum, but it should come out/melt out pretty quick.

But the first thought I had was the flexi grabby tool Mark posted--should be easy to get that way. If the piston is actually down a little, it may help to get it too.

My T sat in a barn from 1964 till 2004. Every few years I'd take the plugs out and pour a bit of oil into the plug holes, and then hand crank her over a few times before putting the plugs back in.
The "fogging" was of the neighborhood when I started her for the first time after a 40 year slumber.

That is a good one Roar!! I am sure the neighbors got over it...

Happy to report the task was pretty simple, turned the engine over a couple of times and the tube popped into view. The grabbers though, were not quite strong enough to bend it without popping off of them, and I was lucky enough to get it let alone get it by one end, so on the third try I grabbed it and pulled it up enough to then grab it with needlenose pliers, which did the trick.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

Try blowing it out. Insert the tip of a blow gun with a long nozzle end into the cylinder. The only place for the air, and anything it "picks up" is out the plug hole. Watch your eyes!

Congratulations, another happy ending!

Oh, you got it already! Never mind....

A couple ways to keep from losing the straws.

Thanks guys, JD, I was thinking of exactly the same thing. A minor annoyance and makes for a story here on the "T" but I have a couple other cars where it could be a huge hassle on. What was surprising and a good reason for the approach you illustrate above is the force at which the tube came out. I guess the "fogging mix" is under more pressure than say WD-40 might be.