Nut/ Washer Dropped in The Engine Bay

[lewisswhite]

I dropped a small nut and washer in the engine bay of my 2014 RXT-260.

Am I screwed/ should I worry about it when operating the PWC? I’m doing my best to find the nut/ washer.

criticism is not appreciated - I get it, I’m an idiot.

 

[mikidymac]

Should not cause a problem and you will probably find it the next time you load the ski, typically it's a 10mm socket that gets lose down in the hull.

 

[Ckrawiec]

I dropped a small nut and washer in the engine bay of my 2014 RXT-260.

Am I screwed/ should I worry about it when operating the PWC? I’m doing my best to find the nut/ washer.

criticism is not appreciated - I get it, I’m an idiot.

REALLY...one think your the first guy to drop something down in the hull and have it disappear!!!! Hell, I've dropped nuts, washers, sockets, you name it.....never to be seen again...until one day maybe next season you take a look into the hull and HELLO! - I've been looking for you....I've eventually found everything I thought was long lost.....in fact I lost and found my 5mil hex key socket a year later BUT it was rusted to the point of uselessness.

So, dropping stuff into the hull = no big problem....just don't drop stuff into the engine = big problem (obviously). You are in a no criticism zone (we have all been there)! Wrench on!

 

[benjilafouine]

Last year I replaced my refrigerator door seal and inside the old seal, there was a long magnet like four feet long but very narrow and soft (it can be bent). I kept it! If I were to drop something in my engine bay, I think I would use that magnet to recuperate it. Just a thought.

 

[mikidymac]

Last year I replaced my refrigerator door seal and inside the old seal, there was a long magnet like four feet long but very narrow and soft (it can be bent). I kept it! If I were to drop something in my engine bay, I think I would use that magnet to recuperate it. Just a thought.

Unfortunately the magnet trick doesn't work on the stainless hardware.
Perfect for tools though.

 

[edchris]

When I first got this ‘95 SPI, I cleaned out the hull, rode it for a while,then cleaned it again.
I found one of the plastic wing nuts that hold the guard over the drive shaft, plus a couple of SS hex bolts, looked like they fit the flame arrestor, damn glad the POwner didn’t drop them down the carb.
I have,(and so is everyone who is honest), dropped stuff into the bowels of their ski. In my experience, after some hard riding, the loose bits will work their way to the lowest point, usually around the pickups for the bilge drain.
It can be kind of slimy down there, especially on a 2 stroke, get a kid with flexible joints & small hands,(put on nitrile gloves), & feel around/under everything you can.
As stated, magnets won’t work on any bolts/washers.
When working in your ski, cover any “kill ya” openings, (Carb, fuel tank etc), with a clean rag to prevent making a lot more work for yourself.

 

[benjilafouine]

I long that good old times when magnets would pick up everything... including keys that fell in a rain sewer hole... happened to a guy I knew... I know another guy who also dropped them... but the sewer was full... you don't want to know how he did...

Another trick I do: lift the tongue of your trailer while your ski is on it, open the drain plugs and use your garden hose gently under the engine. I do that to clean my hull a couple times in the summer with a bit of degreaser or dish soap. You'll find them at the bailers... At the same time, your hull will be spotless clean.

You'll find your bolts, eventually...