Talk about bad luck!

[Prodigy_1978]

Hi all do I have a problem!

After buying some last minute bits and bobs for Valentine’s day (Yeah I know Mug, but better than the silent treatment) I noticed my oil warning light come on when I turned the engine off. when I arrived back home I headed straight for the garage to grab some oil and top up my little Z4. I popped the engine, tick, removed the engine oil cap, tick, laid the oil bottle cap on the washer unit and proceeded to top up the oil, checking the dipstick vigorously, But like a right plonker I elbowed the cap of the bottle of oil and it has now fallen down in the engine bay, on the washer side!!!

Now at 11:30PM I am attempting to push the bottle cap onto the pavement but I have noticed that there is a tray under the engine!

How the hell do I get this cap out? My fear is I will be driving down the road and this thing will be bouncing around like a pinball machine. I would leave it well alone if I thought this would not cause any problems. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I know what a plank! That’s what I get for being the caring boyfriend hey next time Valentines day is crossed off!

[.:bHd:.]

i dropped a couple of screws in the tray on my car too.. no clue on how to take it out without going under the car.

[Z4Kevo]

can you see it?

[Prodigy_1978]

Hi, z4kevo

I can see the red cap, through the small gap when looking down near the windscreen washer tank. The neighbours must think I am a car thief as I have been out there with a torch trying everything.!

[Z4Kevo]

Originally Posted by Prodigy_1978

Hi, z4kevo

I can see the red cap, through the small gap when looking down near the windscreen washer tank. The neighbours must think I am a car thief as I have been out there with a torch trying everything.!

I was initially thinking that you could get some long slender object with adhesive on the tip (double sided tape or whatever) or a really sharp point to take a stab at it. Prolly not very practical.

I have one of those 36" long bendy cable thingies with a trigger actuated retractable claw on the tip. As long as you have a clear egress path once you grab it you could get it out pretty easily.

[Prodigy_1978]

I attempted something similar Z4KEVO with a bamboo stick and a screw sellotaped to the end. Looked like I was taking part in a Javelin event!

The only problem is the cap will have to slide sideways. I like your thinking though, I will dig out some coat hangers and make a rod and apply some adhesive and hope for a miracle.

[Z4Kevo]

Originally Posted by Prodigy_1978

I attempted something similar Z4KEVO with a bamboo stick and a screw sellotaped to the end. Looked like I was taking part in a Javelin event!

The only problem is the cap will have to slide sideways. I like your thinking though, I will dig out some coat hangers and make a rod and apply some adhesive and hope for a miracle.

Yeah...small items seem to be able to get into places that you just can't easily get them out of. You would swear the laws of physics get suspended in and around engine compartments!

I will keep noodling over it...Good luck and keep us posted!

[Prodigy_1978]

Managed to solve the problem by accessin the front folg lights and reaching my hand in! That will teach me in the future. Cheers all for your advice.

[Z4Kevo]

Originally Posted by Prodigy_1978

Managed to solve the problem by accessin the front folg lights and reaching my hand in! That will teach me in the future. Cheers all for your advice.

Clever...Glad you got it!

[rc'Z]

What is a dipstick? I got ripped off, don't have one, have a dumb computer instead.

[ATX750i]

ROFL, rc, are you sure you dont know what a dipstick is? LOL! <as I know you do?>