HELP! Small screw fell thru front dash ventilation duct!

[ARad]

Hey guys,
Have you ever had an experience when you install the front dash long trim piece to cover the LH/RH ventilation ducts on late models like 84-88 Por911 (long black trim that goes out very front of dash pad that looks like long curved with several long holes for windshield defroster/heating air to go thru) and a small piece of mounting screw fell thru and went inside the front left side ventilation duct while installing it...
Question: Where does it go or end up at? Hope it is not a big deal and it would be a headache or a great hassle to remove whole heating duct ventilation system like out front trunk where there is a big heater blower sits or what??? Will the screw rest at the bottom of the front dash "Y" shaped duct and goes right to the bottom/under the dash where the clutch pedal cluster that has a opening at the very bottom to keep your feet warm or cool?? Any advise or tips that would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to deal with dismantling whole heater system just for this small screw! Just let me know and tips as a short cut for finding a screw! Thx!

[mrhaydndownes]

depending on the size of the opening and flexibility of the ducts, you could try using magnets a couple of ways.

If you have an magnet with a telescoping handle, you could try fishing and see if you could grab it.

Otherwise maybe a smaller magnet zip tied to a piece of string?

[moneymanager]

I can't imagine this will ever matter at all. I'd move on.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by mrhaydndownes

depending on the size of the opening and flexibility of the ducts, you could try using magnets a couple of ways.

If you have an magnet with a telescoping handle, you could try fishing and see if you could grab it.

Otherwise maybe a smaller magnet zip tied to a piece of string?

Use one of those long flex tube claw tools and tape a magnet to the end. That will give you some flexibility. Even a rubber hose with the magnet on the end. Spring for a decent magnet at a kids science store. That will keep the screw in place during extraction.

Leaving it is just fine too.

[ARad]

Will do all of those following advise(s) and will post ya'll if it is successfully picked up Thx!

[shadowjack1]

Ends up in the foot well blower. Don't ask me how I know.

[AVDCAV]

Move on. Waste of your time

[86 911 Targa]

I made up one of these:



Good luck,

Gerry

[ARad]

GOOD NEWS! Thx to one of your advise - I just put a straight magnetic pen inside one of clear tube and duct tape it and it took me at least 5 secs. to snag it from duct very quickly and safe! Next time it will be handy if one or two screws/bolts ever slid inside ducts! A lesson learned! Thanks!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by ARad

GOOD NEWS! Thx to one of your advise - I just put a straight magnetic pen inside one of clear tube and duct tape it and it took me at least 5 secs. to snag it from duct very quickly and safe! Next time it will be handy if one or two screws/bolts ever slid inside ducts! A lesson learned! Thanks!

Cool beans!