Wing Nut fell into Hydraulic Reservoir

[deandec]

My rig has a 7qt reservoir to provide hydraulic fluid to the radiator fan and the power steering.

While changing the fluid, I dropped the wing nut holding the filters in place into the tank.

I pumped out the fluid, and felt the bottom of the tank where I briefly touched the wing nut.

The nut slid under the filter platform and I suspect into one of the three hoses under the tank. There is no access to the hose holes from inside the tank because of the filter platform and stalk.

So, this is going to be a shop hired job to fix my error.

Question:

How far, if at all, does anyone think I can drive the rig, with the fluid refilled, before that wing nut does pump damage?

[mike brez]

Can you maybe fish around with one of those telescoping pencil magnets

[Jim28730]

Originally Posted by mike brez

Can you maybe fish around with one of those telescoping pencil magnets

X2..

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by mike brez

Can you maybe fish around with one of those telescoping pencil magnets

I just bought one of those at Harbor Freight yesterday! It's a combination magnet and spring grabber. Worth a try!

[deandec]

Magnets are a great idea but I cannot get enough room to get the pencil magnet under the filter shelf.

I have a great big 7" magnet that I used to troll for dropped parts from my boat. I attached that magnet to the outside of the reservoir and drug it around to no avail.

I think the solution is in removing the pump hoses from the bottom of the tank, and hopefully dumping the wing nut into a container.

The rig is parked on a residential street in front of my home and there is not enough room or big enough wrench available for me to remove those hoses.

This should have been a simple pump and refill job.....

Hence my question.

So it is a tow, a mobile mechanic with jacks or drive it.

[BigSkyBob]

No way would I even start the engine as the possibility of the wing nut migrating into the pump is a real possibility. Perhaps a mobile tech with the right tools can remove the hoses one a time to retrieve the nut. Is there a possibility the filter platform can be removed?

[deandec]

I do not know if the platform can be removed as it provides a bottom seal for the filter.

The exit hoses are on the bottom of the tank, so I fear the wing nut slid over to one of the exits and its weight allow it to sink.

The hose to the pump has a slight swag to it so I am hoping the nut hangs up there.

Very tight quarters so hard to see into the tank and a one handed process.

Thanks for confirming the danger of starting the engine...

[CountryFit]

if the hose has a curve, "U" shape hanging there, like mine, i don't see a risk running the engine as wing nut's weight will retain it at the lowest point. likely the nut is stainless steel, it will not contaminate the fluid.

a photo of the hose will help.

to see the inside bottom of the reservoir from top, you may
(1) use your smart phone, turn on the camera light, and record a short video. review the video carefully to see where it is at.
(2) get a waterproof inspection camera, like the one doctor uses for colonoscopy. i have seen similar ones for auto repair or plumbing inspections. ebay, amazon or auto stores will have it.

[Mudfrog]

I'm having a hard time imagining what this reservoir looks like. If there are hoses attached, are they rubber? If so, how do you replace them if they age out or go bad?

[deandec]

Originally Posted by CountryFit

if the hose has a curve, "U" shape hanging there, like mine, i don't see a risk running the engine as wing nut's weight will retain it at the lowest point. likely the nut is stainless steel, it will not contaminate the fluid.

a photo of the hose will help.

to see the inside bottom of the reservoir from top, you may
(1) use your smart phone, turn on the camera light, and record a short video. review the video carefully to see where it is at.
(2) get a waterproof inspection camera, like the one doctor uses for colonoscopy. i have seen similar ones for auto repair or plumbing inspections. ebay, amazon or auto stores will have it.

Thanks now that its daylight I have photos which I will post.

I have made contact with the wingnut using a bent coat hanger (DW's idea) but have not yet pushed it to where I can grab it with a needle nose.

Next tool effort will be a stiff coax wire to use as a sweep.

It feels like there are screens over the external ports that have saved my stupid butt.....

Post more later hopefully upon success.

[Forkyfork]

I have one of these. I got it to have a look in the burner of the heater. My husband rolled his eyes until he needed it after losing a drill bit in the wall.

I didn’t get it from this seller it’s more expensive but the one I got is not available.

It is flexible and long, has a hook and magnet. It water resistant and has a cover for the camera lens. If you want one, read reviews and pick one with the features you want. There are a ton available now.

https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-OVE...ords=Endoscope

[RRR]

Put your large magnet on the coat hanger and maybe you will be lucky it will stick long enough to get it drug out. Good luck.

[harleyjt]

I'd darn sure be trolling the reservoir with a magnet somehow before I took it into a shop. Even a magnet securely attached to a coat hanger would work. There are numerous types of flexible shaft magnets out there that should do the trick as long as the offending wingnut is magnetic and not stainless or brass or whatever.

One other thought - do you have a good strong shop vac handy? A really good suction might help matters.
jt

[deandec]

First of all, thank you to all who responded to my plight.

As you know describing the problem to someone else sometimes helps the light bulb turn on.



The SOLUTION

Bent metal shirt hanger and needle nose pliers.



A coax cable taped to the sweep end of the hanger.

And three hours of frustration.




The SITUATION:

Wing Nut not attracted to Magnets (I have quite a collection of magnets)

Reservoir coated with thin ATF oil.

Bottom of Reservoir smooth and tapered to the center so nut slid to center of tank bottom each time it was move to the outside edge.

A one handed access only.

A filter shelf with sharp edge covers the reservoir tank bottom except for a fingers width around the circumference .

This is the inside of the Hydraulic Fluid Reservoir








HOW TO AVOID a similar problem.

Do not drop the ##%%%$$$$ Wing Nut!


Again Thank You to all for the dialogue and resulting assist.