Dropped bolt into turbo pipe. PLEASE HELP

Mkerner863 · 12-14-2022, 07:35 PM

Hey guys, first post here… working on neighbors car (n55;x3 f25 2011)
Trying to save him $1500 he got quoted on his valve cover leak. Everything went fine with the valve cover job until… literally last step… I’m about to screw in the crankcase vent hose to the intake pipe … but first I try to hand thread the screw on (without the crankcase vent hose attached yet) and I fumble the screw, through thr crankcase vent hose attachment opening and DOWN TO WHAT I CAN ONLY TELL IS OBLIVION, The exhaust turbo. … I’ve ordered a flexible magnet 29 inches … do you think I will be able to get this screw out ? How screwed am I ? (Pun intended)… what would happen if I started the car ? Please advise I feel so bad,,, my neighbor has no car till I figure it out !

Mkerner863 · 12-14-2022, 09:20 PM

This is where the screw went. In the space marked number seven on the diagram and down the pipe

View post on imgur.com

pungo · 12-14-2022, 09:56 PM

Magnet on a string?

Opie55 · 12-15-2022, 09:20 AM

Unclear exactly where you think the bolt ended up, but if you have the DIY skill to do a valve cover job how hard is it to pull off the charge pipe to look for it? Or any of the other piping? Probably take way less time than waiting for a magnet to arrive and blindly fishing in there.

Opie55 · 12-15-2022, 09:38 AM

As to whether you can start the car depends on where the bolt is. If it fell to the bottom of the charge pipe it can probably stay there, but if it is sitting on a ledge in front of the turbo intake you will wish you had not started it.

Dekero · 12-15-2022, 03:13 PM

You need to pull the intake pipe, and then pull the 180 degree elbow that connects to the front of the turbo....where inevitably the screw is resting and get it out... It's kind of a bytch as to where they screw that elbow in to get those screws and 10mm bolt out but once out the elbow pulls right off...

As for a magnet... I think you're hosed cuz that screw is aluminum isn't it?

12-14-2022, 07:35 PM	#1
Mkerner863 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2011 x3 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Dropped bolt into turbo pipe. PLEASE HELP Hey guys, first post here… working on neighbors car (n55;x3 f25 2011) Trying to save him $1500 he got quoted on his valve cover leak. Everything went fine with the valve cover job until… literally last step… I’m about to screw in the crankcase vent hose to the intake pipe … but first I try to hand thread the screw on (without the crankcase vent hose attached yet) and I fumble the screw, through thr crankcase vent hose attachment opening and DOWN TO WHAT I CAN ONLY TELL IS OBLIVION, The exhaust turbo. … I’ve ordered a flexible magnet 29 inches … do you think I will be able to get this screw out ? How screwed am I ? (Pun intended)… what would happen if I started the car ? Please advise I feel so bad,,, my neighbor has no car till I figure it out !
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12-14-2022, 09:20 PM	#2
Mkerner863 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2011 x3 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	This is where the screw went. In the space marked number seven on the diagram and down the pipe View post on imgur.com
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12-14-2022, 09:56 PM	#3
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	Magnet on a string?
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12-15-2022, 09:20 AM	#4
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,908 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Unclear exactly where you think the bolt ended up, but if you have the DIY skill to do a valve cover job how hard is it to pull off the charge pipe to look for it? Or any of the other piping? Probably take way less time than waiting for a magnet to arrive and blindly fishing in there.
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12-15-2022, 09:38 AM	#5
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,908 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	As to whether you can start the car depends on where the bolt is. If it fell to the bottom of the charge pipe it can probably stay there, but if it is sitting on a ledge in front of the turbo intake you will wish you had not started it.
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12-15-2022, 03:13 PM	#6
Dekero Private First Class 36 Rep 114 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X5 35I Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Memphis TN iTrader: (0)	You need to pull the intake pipe, and then pull the 180 degree elbow that connects to the front of the turbo....where inevitably the screw is resting and get it out... It's kind of a bytch as to where they screw that elbow in to get those screws and 10mm bolt out but once out the elbow pulls right off... As for a magnet... I think you're hosed cuz that screw is aluminum isn't it?
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