2014 Ford V-10 Dropped plastic cap down oil fill tube

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 10:40 AM

Here's a good one. During the oil change process, I dropped a small (maybe 5/8 in) cap down the oil fill tube. I know, that was incredibly stupid of me. But not sure what to do if anything. Anybody got an idea of what to do? It's the 362 HP model.

TWP723 · 07-11-2022, 10:58 AM

What coach do you have?

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 11:05 AM

2015 Jayco Precept 31UL

TWP723 · 07-11-2022, 11:09 AM

So it has a tube coming up from the valve cover with the oil cap, correct?

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 11:18 AM

I don't think it comes from the valve cover. I can't get a good look at it. I have a service manual (cd) and it looks like the tube connects to the top front of the engine. I haven't found a good drawing yet.

TWP723 · 07-11-2022, 11:25 AM

My computer shows F53 chassis, cutaways and stripped chassis having a tube coming off the valve cover for oil fill. If so, depending on the size of the cap, it may be lodged in the tube before it enters the valve cover. Worse case scenario is taking off the valve cover. I wouldn't crank it over. The cap may be laying on your lifters and valves.

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 11:39 AM

Just had another look. The fill is in the forward part of the valve cover. Appears to be 7/8 in id. I think I will buy a camera and see if I can see anything. The tube connects to the valve cover with a clamp. Maybe I can look down inside without removing cover. Or possible part is laying in the fill tube because it's not a fast drop. About 3 feet long. I did run it until oil pressure built but that's it.

Is my signature showing on here?

Marcm157 · 07-11-2022, 11:46 AM

I agree with TWP - The Ford Parts diagrams show the inlet tube (Oil Fill Tube) going into the valve cover. I would pull the cover before I even thought about starting the engine....

Vicr · 07-11-2022, 11:51 AM

I know it would be a PITA but you can try a powerful shop vac to suck the cap out of the fill tube.

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 11:54 AM

Thanks, I thought about that. Maybe make connection to fit down the tube and latch onto plastic cap by suction. I think I will buy a camera and look down there first

TWP723 · 07-11-2022, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wtrboy502000

Just had another look. The fill is in the forward part of the valve cover. Appears to be 7/8 in id. I think I will buy a camera and see if I can see anything. The tube connects to the valve cover with a clamp. Maybe I can look down inside without removing cover. Or possible part is laying in the fill tube because it's not a fast drop. About 3 feet long. I did run it until oil pressure built but that's it.

Is my signature showing on here?

I'd pay the money and get an endoscope that connects to your phone and a hair drain cleaner remover tool. The kind with the little claw at the end and fish it out. DEPSTECH makes a nice endo for cheap.

Flexible grabber tool is what I was getting at.

craigav · 07-11-2022, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicr

I know it would be a PITA but you can try a powerful shop vac to suck the cap out of the fill tube.

I was going to suggest this as well, certainly worth a try.

If it doesn't work then perhaps a smaller tube ~1" hose with the vacuum.

~CA

TWP723 · 07-11-2022, 12:10 PM

I can vouch for both of these products as I own and use both regularly.

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 12:10 PM

Thanks. Harbor Freight has them. I will pick on up today.

I have the grabber tool that has a LED light on the end.

TWP723 · 07-11-2022, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wtrboy502000

Thanks. Harbor Freight has them. I will pick on up today.

I have the grabber tool that has a LED light on the end.

Well there ya go! Work smarter, not harder!

curver900 · 07-11-2022, 12:16 PM

you don't say if it is stuck in the tube or made it all the way to the pan or is it under the valve cover?

if it is plastic it won't make any difference... it will melt and become one with the oil... lots of them have ended up that way over the years... nothing to worry about...

if you can get it out great, but i wouldn't sweat it... lots of these in the marine world...

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 12:30 PM

Well, it could be in the fill tube. But...what happened is due to lack of access to add new oil I have a 12v pump I use to add oil back in and I didn't know the end of the tube from the pump had a cap in it. I started to fill and heard a loud "snap". That was the cap coming off of the tube from pressure so it may be down there a ways.

If I can't retrieve it, I'll take my chances. Which is what I was going to do in the first place. But I don't think that the oil will get hot enough to melt it. But I could be wrong.

Best thing is get it out cause it'will haunt me all of the time.

Wtrboy502000 · 07-11-2022, 12:42 PM

Thank you everyone for all of your help!

mini4mw · 07-11-2022, 01:34 PM

Everyone does what they need to, but I wouldn't leave it. I've known one person and read about others that happen to get a foreign object in their oil (usually its a foil sticker from new oil bottle) in their engine. The object gets torn up by movement and then blocks the oil pump or veins for oil and blows the engine. Not sure how much it would cost to remove, but certain it would be less than an engine.

Wireman · 07-16-2022, 01:58 PM

I first would try to determine if it's stuck in the filler tube or the valve cover area using the camera. Depending on what you find you might have to remove the valve cover.

There may be a direct path from the filler tube to the crankcase so it's possible it could have gone directly into the oil pan.

Since you started the engine to build oil pressure that kind of complicates the issue. It could be anywhere.

Maybe try and drain the oil if you don't find it in the upper end. With a little luck it could come out as you drain.

I'm like you, it would bug the heck out of me till it's resolved.

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