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09-14-2018, 08:33 AM
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#1
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Guru
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 649
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HELP! Dipstick fell into transmission
When checking my transmission oil yesterday (Paragon 200 on a FL 120), I was left only with the dipstick cap in my hand. The actual stick that dips into the oil (about 6 inches long) separated from the cap and stayed inside the transmission. I didn't have any magnet or retrieving tool with me so I just left everything as is for now. I'm hoping that I will be able to fish it out easily with the proper retrieving tool but in case I don't, what are my options?
I'm guessing it would be a very bad idea to use the boat with that thing loose inside the tranny? It's the end of the season here and I'm hauling the boat out in a few days, so it's no big deal for the moment. But I still have to get the boat to the travel lift...
Any insights or previous experience would certainly help!
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09-14-2018, 09:07 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
City: Florida
Vessel Name: Lady Di
Vessel Model: 2012 Beneteau Swift Trawler 44
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 450
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It may not be magnetic. Good, long, needle-nose pliers may grab it. I wouldn’t engage transmission but I’m not a mechanic.
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09-14-2018, 09:29 AM
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#4
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Guru
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 649
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I'm crossing my fingers the thing is magnetic! The cap is so there is a good chance the stick is as well. Not sure the pliers/forceps would work. The hole is pretty darn small. 1/2 an inch at the most and I would have to go rather deep.
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09-14-2018, 12:12 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
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Most likely magnetic as so much else is , why go exotic at that point?
A telescoping rare earth magnet bolt retriever or a rare earth magnet epoxied to a piece of solid copper wire would be try 2 with care not to catch it on anything by oushing to hard/far.
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09-14-2018, 01:01 PM
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#6
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Guru
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,034
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Last resort before taking it apart might be to put a large magnet on the bottom of the sump to hopefully hold the lost item out of the gears.
__________________
Jay Leonard
Ex boats: 1983 40 Albin trunk cabin, 1978 Mainship 34 Model 1
New Port Richey, Fl
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09-14-2018, 02:15 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,818
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Here's what you want for fishing in the transmission.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GrabEasy...0401/202505170
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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09-14-2018, 02:59 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Palm Coast, FL
Vessel Name: Coquina
Vessel Model: Lagoon 380
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jleonard
Last resort before taking it apart might be to put a large magnet on the bottom of the sump to hopefully hold the lost item out of the gears.
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the mag field on the oily side of a cast iron pan will be nil. The magnet would have to be IN the sump. I do recall some VD trannies had one on the inside.
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09-14-2018, 03:00 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
City: punta gorda, FL
Vessel Name: Blue Bayou
Vessel Model: Hatteras 43MY
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 149
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__________________
Punta Gorda, FL
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09-14-2018, 04:02 PM
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#10
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Guru
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,034
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Quote:
Originally Posted by diver dave
the mag field on the oily side of a cast iron pan will be nil. The magnet would have to be IN the sump. I do recall some VD trannies had one on the inside.
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Yes mine has one. I didn't know that when I pulled an oil sample though. You know what the sample showed LOL
__________________
Jay Leonard
Ex boats: 1983 40 Albin trunk cabin, 1978 Mainship 34 Model 1
New Port Richey, Fl
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09-14-2018, 06:08 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: San Diego
Vessel Model: Helmsman 4304
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,005
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Those long nose forceps also work well to retrieve unauthorized objects left by guests who didn’t follow the toilet use instructions.
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09-14-2018, 06:30 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver
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X2. It will make a little mess as oil will cling to the tool sheath.
Did you find out if its steel or stainless steel?
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
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09-14-2018, 06:37 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,076
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I would not even start the engine. Even idling the main shaft and counter shaft(s) will be rotating including the gears that connect them all.
It sounds like the part that got left behind is visible or partly visible? That would be great and at least give you a fighting chance of getting it out.
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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09-14-2018, 06:56 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,818
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If you're going to fish for the stick, it might be worth draining the oil so you could possibly see the stick.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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09-14-2018, 08:06 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Between Oregon and Alaska
Vessel Name: Charlie Harper
Vessel Model: Wheeler Shipyard 83'
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,021
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You need a pick up claw. I have an old one that has the same small size outer coil. Needs to be smaller than tube. Pic is from ebay. Probably available from most auto parts stores.
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09-14-2018, 09:42 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Trenton
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,521
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Try a plastic straw. Slip it over the top of the dipstick and hold your thumb over the top of the straw when you draw it up.
__________________
Al Johnson
34' Marine Trader
"Angelina"
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09-14-2018, 10:42 PM
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#17
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Scraping Paint
City: nowhere
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 934
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Did you retrieve it yet?
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09-15-2018, 05:51 AM
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#18
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Guru
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 649
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HELP! Dipstick fell into transmission
No luck. I tried for an hour yesterday with a magnetic retrieving tool and didn't get anywhere. I don't see the stick unfortunately. I kinda feel it when I plunge the tool inside but it's not coming out. Pliers would be no use. I will get a grabber tool today and try it but my expectations are pretty low at this point.
There is some kind of cover on top of the transmission where the shifting lever sits. It has 4 allen bolts. Any chance I could take that off and get to the part from there?
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09-15-2018, 06:49 AM
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#19
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,076
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You might be able to get it through that access plate. It's worth a try before tearing the transmission apart.
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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09-15-2018, 09:12 AM
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#20
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Guru
City: gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,440
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harbor freight has both the forceps and the grabber, cheap
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