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

1995 CHEVROLET IMPALA
148,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BUTTERFINGERS
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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?
Jun 17, 2008 at 7:45 PM
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DENNYP
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It should burn up when you start the engine.
Jun 17, 2008 at 11:01 PM
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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.
Jun 18, 2008 at 8:12 AM
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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.
Jun 18, 2008 at 3:40 PM
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BUTTERFINGERS
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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.
Jun 18, 2008 at 4:19 PM
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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.
Jun 18, 2008 at 4:45 PM
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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.
Jun 18, 2008 at 5:57 PM
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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.
Jun 18, 2008 at 8:27 PM
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