Seeking knowledge: If Throttle return spring vanished (in a cylinder)?

[mike sampsel]

So the throttle spring went flying off off runner/manifold number 2 as I was removing my
CIS components. I continued on (thinking spring was bigger than it is) and removed the CIS. Now I cannot locate the spring.

Seems is was likely a "small" spring because I could see the coils right up at the number
2 runner/manifold. I've taken photos and fished with magnets down in the cylinder in search of the spring. Seems it is not there.



So should I consider rotating each cylinder to TDC and look then?
Not sure what if any additional precautions I should take.
I tool care with all the nuts and washers, was surprised by the spring which
zipped off.

I guess worst might be an early top end rebuild?

My guess at the missing spring.



Here is what five of the the six cylinders look like.

[Steve F]

Try one of these....


https://www.amazon.com/Depstech-Semi-rigid-Inspection-Megapixels-Waterproof/dp/B06WRNGYXY/ref=zg_bs_401578011_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N0PC5Z4SZ0ZNBGP0C6VG

[Flat6pac]

I think the spring is too big to get by the intake valve.
Did you get my PM?
Bruce

[merlinfe]

I agree with Steve F. Get a small inspection mirror and pull the plugs. Verification will be better than guessing and you can see the condition of the cylinders and pistons heads at the same time.

I have a Bluetooth inspection camera that I use with my IPhone. Works great and is actually more useful than I could have guessed it would be.

Hope you find your spring. Working aviation for 20+ years has me jumpy when I can’t find all the pieces that came apart when taking something apart.

-Steve A.

I keep a long, thin powerful magnet on a telescoping rod for just such occurrences. It's my go-to tool. It's fished a lot of hardware ut of various orifices. On the car, that is . . .

Good luck!

[Trackrash]

IF you haven't turned the motor over yet it should be as simple as looking in all the ports. If you think one of the valves is open enough to allow the spring to pass then scope that cylinder.

BTW, I have one of those scopes and mine won't focus well much less than 2'' away. Anyone have one that is better at macro shots?

Good luck, better safe than sorry.

[SalParadise]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

I think the spring is too big to get by the intake valve.
Did you get my PM?
Bruce

I'm on board with this one. Spring is too large to fit through the space in the valve. I think it's somewhere else.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

I think the spring is too big to get by the intake valve.
Did you get my PM?
Bruce

Mike,

Do a visual inspection of the intake valves from top of the motor. If you don’t see the spring inside the chamber, it is out some where. The spring is too large to pass through the valve clearance. Plus the missing spring attached to intake runner #2 is long and big. If you can not see it, it is not there unless you are blind or have very poor vision.

Tony

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

I think the spring is too big to get by the intake valve.
Did you get my PM?
Bruce

I got one PM Bruce, and responded. Did you get my PM?

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Mike,

Do a visual inspection of the intake valves from top of the motor. If you don’t see the spring inside the chamber, it is out some where. The spring is too large to pass through the valve clearance. Plus the missing spring attached to intake runner #2 is long and big. If you can not see it, it is not there unless you are blind or have very poor vision.

Tony

Thanks Tony,

Yes the one which was supposed to be there is big, but I suspect maybe the
small one was used instead because there were spring coils right at the runner hole
when I attempted to disconnect it and it flew ...
The bigger one would not show any coils right there.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by mike sampsel

Thanks Tony,

Yes the one which was supposed to be there is big, but I suspect maybe the
small one was used instead because there were spring coils right at the runner hole
when I attempted to disconnect it and it flew ...
The bigger one would not show any coils right there.

Mike,

Inspect the intake chambers of your engine from the top. If it is there, you will see it. If you don’t see any spring you are good. You are not looking for a microscopic object. The missing spring is too large an object not to see it in the chamber. You don’t even have to use your eyes to do the inspection. Place your fore finger inside the chambers and feel the inside with your eyes closed.

You are over thinking a very simple problem. Use some common sense!!!!!

Tony

[cabmandone]

I think the spring would have to be pretty small to slip past an open valve. As others mentioned, look for an open valve and scope that cylinder but as with others I tend to think the spring is elsewhere.

[brcorp]

I agree with the crowd and would say that its unlikely that the spring got past the valve into the cylinder. If you’re unlucky enough for the spring to go flying off and make its way down the number 2 runner then maybe it’s in there.

Are you sure it’s not in the runner? Are you sure it’s not somewhere else on top of the engine, the engine bay, somewhere in your garage or stuck in your hair Go to CheckerAuto or Autozone and rent the remote camera or go to Harbor freight and buy one. Grab the vacuum out of the house and vacuum out the pasave..... Either way cheap insurance

[UROParts]

Sometimes it helps to get a bright flashlight and pivot it 360 degrees while held against your shop floor, the long shadow cast by a small part is often easier to see than the part.

If you do find it, these flexible slender magnetic pickup tools can be shaped to go around curves and are handy for fishing things out.
https://pitstopusa.com/i-23899156-allstar-performance-flexible-magnetic-pickup-tool.html

[cabmandone]

One more piece of advice. If you drink, grab a beer or mix drink, step back, calm down and then look again. If that doesn't work, drink some more until you're no longer nervous.

[mike sampsel]

Appreciate the information and opinion of you guys.
So we think even the small spring too large to vanish?




I thought even the small spring in the figure was too large to vanish.
Wanted to ask and thanks for the data delivery!

Just a novice, trying to be cautious.
I've looked far a wide for the spring and it's somewhere

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by brcorp

I agree with the crowd and would say that its unlikely that the spring got past the valve into the cylinder. If you’re unlucky enough for the spring to go flying off and make its way down the number 2 runner then maybe it’s in there.

Are you sure it’s not in the runner? Are you sure it’s not somewhere else on top of the engine, the engine bay, somewhere in your garage or stuck in your hair Go to CheckerAuto or Autozone and rent the remote camera or go to Harbor freight and buy one. Grab the vacuum out of the house and vacuum out the pasave..... Either way cheap insurance

I took a piece of electrical wire, heavy duty and ran it through my runners.
I can try again thanks, maybe it is there.
I'm pretty confident it's not on top of the engine.

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by cabmando

One more piece of advice. If you drink, grab a beer or mix drink, step back, calm down and then look again. If that doesn't work, drink some more until you're no longer nervous.

Yes, some IPA soon!

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Mike,

Inspect the intake chambers of your engine from the top. If it is there, you will see it. If you don’t see any spring you are good. You are not looking for a microscopic object. The missing spring is too large an object not to see it in the chamber. You don’t even have to use your eyes to do the inspection. Place your fore finger inside the chambers and feel the inside with your eyes closed.

You are over thinking a very simple problem. Use some common sense!!!!!

Tony

No offense Tony,
But if I used common sense, I might not have tried this new task.
Just trying to have some fun and get info from those who have done this.

Maybe, I'm overthinking it. Just wish the spring would appear.
Seems the spring is not in the chamber.

[Flat6pac]

That spring pictured is used on the throttle body.
The spring under the runner to the accelerator console is smaller around but nearly three inches long with a two inch straight section on one side
Bruce