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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Dropped 10mm socket in engine bay
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      07-03-2020, 03:51 AM   #1
AussieBob
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Dropped 10mm socket in engine bay

Dropped a 10mm socket bit in the engine bay and you guessed it, it has disappeared!

Had to buy one of these (the last remaining 3 actually) to soothe my head.

Name:  10mm Socket.jpg
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I just saw it disappear into the abyss between the engine inlet manifold and the left side of the engine bay. No noise was heard of a bounce, crash landing or rattling to a rest, just a complete Bermuda Triangle event.

Removed the under carriage cover but nothing, can hear nothing rattling or moving around when driving like a racer, it has just vanished like a screw dropped from an electronics workbench!

Any ideas of where to look based on anyone's experience? (and I checked the garage floor)
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      07-03-2020, 06:42 AM   #2
nedmon
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Bob,
Best just get another socket. Maybe some day you will find the missing one.
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      07-03-2020, 11:55 AM   #3
ezaircon4jc
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I don't know what the F10 looks like underneath, but I dropped a bolt once on my previous car and searched an hour or more before I found it. It was on a longitudinal crash brace that went from the "frame" to the front clip. You might try poking a magnetic probe around under the car and see it that finds it. Look for someplace a socket could wedge itself. A bright light helps.

For some reason I lose more 10mm's than any other socket! I have 3 or 4 at any one time. I also have an extra 8mm & 7mm... There was one 7mm bolt I had to remove to change the spark plugs on my last car (yeah, that's the theme because I haven't had to do anything on our BMW's yet) that was between the brake booster and the valve cover. There was only room for a wrench and at that I could only turn it a few degrees. I got a tip from someone who had been there, done that and tied a string around my wrist and the wrench. GREAT TIP as I dropped that wrench regularly and didn't have to go fishing under the car for it!
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      07-03-2020, 12:15 PM   #4
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+1
Also one of those extendable mirrors.
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      07-04-2020, 01:05 AM   #5
AussieBob
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I'm all sorted now, 10mm sockets covered.

Name:  10mm.jpg
Views: 812
Size:  481.9 KB


I put the front end on jack stands this morning and completely removed the under-carriage covers, could not find a thing. Let's just say it dropped onto the road through the gap where the exhaust pipes leave the covers. At least I replaced some of the missing screws and captive nuts from the front bumper and front cover, so the endeavour was not a complete waste of effort
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      07-04-2020, 07:34 AM   #6
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ooooo this would drive me freakin crazy! i would be under there until i can find it...but that's just me
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      07-25-2025, 04:55 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieBob View Post
Dropped a 10mm socket bit in the engine bay and you guessed it, it has disappeared!

Had to buy one of these (the last remaining 3 actually) to soothe my head.

Attachment 2354134


I just saw it disappear into the abyss between the engine inlet manifold and the left side of the engine bay. No noise was heard of a bounce, crash landing or rattling to a rest, just a complete Bermuda Triangle event.

Removed the under carriage cover but nothing, can hear nothing rattling or moving around when driving like a racer, it has just vanished like a screw dropped from an electronics workbench!

Any ideas of where to look based on anyone's experience? (and I checked the garage floor)
I have done this too many times, check either the fan housing, or on top of the intercooler, there is a lip they often get lodged behind
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      07-25-2025, 07:09 AM   #8
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Well, if that makes you happy, i lost my air filter clip somwhere last year. It went into narnia... of course it's stainless and not magnetic... (tried magnet on one that was holding)🤦‍♂️😂 and after 6 months, i was replacing my radiator, and pulling ventilator out, and found the clip, between radiator and ventilator housing. 😂 aaaand it's gone again, few days ago. 😂😂😂
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