Plastic ring fell into engine oil, how to get it out?

Tiny
WFAGUIRRE
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 VAUXHALL ASTRA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
I was filling up the oil and the plastic ring of the oil fell in. I opened up the valve cover and tried to get it out but it's all the way in the bottom and can't get it out.

will I cause any damage if I just leave it there or how can I get it out?

thanks
Friday, April 14th, 2023 AT 7:50 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 799 POSTS
Hello,

The plastic ring is too large to be flushed into the oil pan. Also, it is soft so if it were to get lodged in the camshaft it would not cause any damage.

You could try and use a longish piece of hard wire, bent at one end. Try and hook the plastic ring and remove it.

Cheers, Boris
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Friday, April 14th, 2023 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
WFAGUIRRE
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  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for the reply, the plastic ring is about 1cm in diameter if I were not able to remove it, would it be ok to just to leave it there? And also, would an oil change flush it out?
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Friday, April 14th, 2023 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

I noticed you haven't been contacted for a few days. Have you been able to make any progress?

As far as damage, in a perfect world, you don't want it in there. LOL There is a screen on the oil pick-up tube, so it won't go further than the oil pan. You could try draining the oil, but chances are it is too big just to fall out. However, the draining oil may cause it to move toward the drain and be reachable.

If the oil is drained and you don't see it, take a piece of wire and bend it so you can scrape the bottom inside of the pan. See if you can get it to the drain that way.

Let me know how you make out.

Joe
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Sunday, April 16th, 2023 AT 6:40 PM

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