Lost valve spring keeper in 4g64 engine

1998 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
151,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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JENNICKO
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Replacing valve spring seals and lost a retainer lock down one of the holes next to the springs. My dad says it goes to the oil pan but a friend says it may go into the engine. I need to know what to do before we put her back together again. thank you guys for your help, Jennifer
May 5, 2015 at 8:47 PM
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HMAC300
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i fyou have a thin magnet try reaching down for it as the retainer needs to be replaced , bu tit will go to pan but may get hit by crank and hard telling where it would go then. however you can do two things, pull he pan and see if you can find it or just chance it . it may be stuck in oil return passage unless you heard it go clink in pan.
May 6, 2015 at 7:15 AM
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JENNICKO
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Hi thanks for your help. We got a replacement keeper and also tried to find the lost one with magnets. Problem is we didn't hear it or see it we're just assuming it went in one of the holes cause we (duh) didn't cover them first. I'm just scared I don't wanna start it and damage anything she's my baby you know! What happens if it's in the return passage?
May 6, 2015 at 8:55 AM
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HMAC300
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if it's stuck in passage then as long as it doesn't block the passage then it will just stay there and oil will flow by it. You might try a bright flashlight and shine it in hole to see if you can see it. If you have something like a coat hanger try running it down the hole and maybe with a strong enough magnet it will pull it back out as well.
May 6, 2015 at 9:28 AM