Dropped Water Pump Washer In Oil Sump

[Piggen]

Hello everybody, long time reader, first time poster here.

 

While replacing the water pump, the small washer on the impeller dropped into (presumably) the oil sump. Instead of thinking things through and do some research (like reading http://www.carpe-tdm.net/ipb/index.php?s...nt+%2Bpump and use a magnet), I tried to use a hook to retrieve it through the opening between the impeller and the case, but that also dropped...

 

So then I drained the oil and screwed the sump loose. By sticking a magnet on a zip tie between the small space that was created, I was able to retrieve the hook, but I haven't been able to get the washer. I spent hours with an endoscope and a magnet, but I just can't find the thing. I might try using a small mirror to see if it is in some nook or cranny, but I'm also wondering if I need to take it apart more - as you surely know, the exhaust pipes prevent the sump from coming free. The gasket looks fine, by the way, so I'm not worried about that.

Now, trying to undo the exhaust header bolts is something that I really shouldn't do with my skills and patience, but I was wondering if it was a viable idea to undo the exhaust on all other places and try to bend it a little to make room for the sump to come free? It looks like I only need a couple of centimeters, but I absolutely don't know if there is a big chance of breaking the exhaust. 

 

Or any other tips?

This post was last modified: 02-03-2026, 10:08 PM by Piggen.

[fixitsan]

Aloominum cannot shield magnetism, so I wonder if you got a big enough rare earth magnet on the outside if you could raise the washer in the inside

[Piggen]

Aloominum cannot shield magnetism, so I wonder if you got a big enough rare earth magnet on the outside if you could raise the washer in the inside

 

Thanks for the reply. Something like this? It definitely is a big one. A nearby store sells it for cheap (€6), so it might be worth a try.

 

This post was last modified: 03-03-2026, 11:39 AM by Piggen.

[fixitsan]

I think it might work. Anything is worth a try if it saves you from stripping half the engine down.

 

I'm not sure if for 6E it has a genuine 150kg pull, because a strong neodymium magnet with less strength costs over £100

https://magnetstore.co.uk/block-magnets/...25kg-pull/

This post was last modified: 03-03-2026, 04:34 PM by fixitsan.

[Piggen]

Yeah, I don´t expect it to be that strong for a 6E piece of Chinesium, but I hope it as some pulling power. I hope I can come back with good news

 

By the way, any thoughts on my exhaust-bending plan? Do you think that might work if everything else fails?

[LIAW]

if you have the means to look inside the engine, can you rotate the engine slowly back and forth by hand to see if it drops to the sump area, obviously don't force it if it feels like it's stuck,

I don't recommend trying to bend the pipes as you will damage something and most likely the mounting studs or the sealing gasket, good luck

[leehenty]

Paint studs in diesel for a few days, you might get lucky

[Piggen]

I found it! But I honestly don't know how.

 

So today I bought the big magnet and a can of compressed air - I thought that might also be helpful. I used the air in impeller area and the sump, and dragged the magnet around the outsides. Since I didn't hear anything move, I expected nothing from it. But when I took another peek into the sump with my light, I spotted a ring-like shape in the oil remnants. I assumed it was a reflection - I have spent hours dragging a magnet through the sump - but who knows. So I took out the magnet-zip tie contraption, and it turned out to be the bloody washer.

 

I honestly don't know if had been there all along, or if the big magnet and/or air did something, but I am very happy that I found it. I was already planning to call my dad (who, luckily, is a retired mechanic) to help me with the exhaust headers. I am not completely out of the woods yet, since two collars in the sump also got loose, but I'm sure I'll manage (it's fiddly, but I already got one of them back in).

 

Thank you all very much for your help and suggestions! 

This post was last modified: 05-03-2026, 09:20 AM by Piggen.

[LIAW]

great, sounds like you're on your way to happiness  :badgerrock:

[dapleb]

Reeesult.

[fixitsan]

Paint studs in diesel for a few days, you might get lucky

+1, and also brake fluid is a very powerful penetrant. You'll know that, if you ever spilled some while topping up a fluid reservoir and spilled some on the engine bay, it creeps all over for weeks !

(https://youtu.be/st8dkGzJWtg?si=ufG5rYMckYV_ddds&t=582)

 

Acetone and ATF mix works very well too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUEob2oAKVs

This post was last modified: 05-03-2026, 03:46 PM by fixitsan.

[Piggen]

Reeesult.

 

As in you want see the result? Here you go

 



 

 

great, sounds like you're on your way to happiness  :badgerrock:

Hell yeah! I was getting a bit desperate and was thinking about that washer a lot. Hopefully the rest of the rebuilding process will go smoothly.

[dapleb]

I was just saying that finding it was a result....but am happy to see the pic too. Triumphant.