1995 Chevy Impala Replacing an O-ring on a fuel injector

Tiny
BUTTERFINGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
I was replacing an O-ring on a fuel injector and the little plastic cone I used to slip the new O-ring on with fell into the injector tube or orifice. I can't see it or feel it with any tools I have. It could be on the valves or on the piston head if the valves are open. If I started the car would if ruin the piston or the valves or just melt and burn up. I can't afford to remove the fuel intake. I have no idea where this piece of plastic went. Any advice?
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 AT 7:45 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
It should burn up when you start the engine.
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Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
BUTTERFINGERS
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So, you don't think it would cause any damage to the vale or piston? I can deal with a fouled plug.
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
DENNYP
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As long as the plastic thing is small enough to get past the intake valve, it shouldn't hurt anything other than the spark plug.
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
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That's what I'm worried about. This piece of plastic is cone shaped. It's about an inch long maybe a little longer 1 1/2 in. The O ring slips over it. So It's not very thick.
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
DENNYP
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Another option is to remove the throttle body and use a shop vac with a small tube to try and get the plastic cone out.
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 AT 4:45 PM
Tiny
BUTTERFINGERS
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I tired that but it didn't budge. I believe it's fallen into the head. I'm pretty sure anyway. I can't hear it move around or feel it with the tools I've been using. I also thought about shooting compressed air in there to see if I can hear it knock around. If this thing can't clear the valve then the valve gets bent right? This is a nightmare.
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
DENNYP
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The valves in this engine are pretty tough. If its already in the head, give the compressed air a try. If that doesn't work, I would start the engine and rev it one or two times, then shut it off.
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 AT 8:27 PM

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