Last week I was changing out my passenger side VCT solenoid and I dropped the torx bit off my extension into the engine . My buddy and I took the valve cover off and used a telescoping magnet to try and find it but no luck.

The Ford stealership quoted me $1400 to $2000 to remove the tool, due to having to remove the engine to get the oil pan off. I have no idea what to do as there is no way I can afford to pay 2 grand for that. I get out of the Army in 2 weeks and wont be able to drive back home! lol

Does anyone have any advice for this?

 

Remove the engine to get the oil pan off?. I might be mistaken but im 95% sure you can get it off without any trouble.

 

Thats what I said, some one else informed me that it can come off if I remove the cross member and front axle. Im hoping some one has experience doing this on a 2004 and up 4x4. I dont really trust the dealership all that much.

 

Im not sure if the pan will clear the axle. If it doesn't end up being in the oil pan, any idea where the darn thing might be?

 

I am pretty sure you just have to drop the sway bar a little to get the pan down. Its a 04+5.4 right? A guy on here just dropped his pan not too long ago with no major work.

 

Here is the thread on dropping the oil pan.

https://www.f150forum.com/f4/oil-pan-removal-174804/

 

Yea its a 04 5.4, Thanks I checked out that thread and the OP had to drop the sway bar, passenger axle shaft, and cross member to get the pan off. So I'll do that tomorrow, hope I find the little bugger thats in there and take some pictures for the reference of others.

 

That's all you have to do! Sure helps if you have someone there to pull down on the axle when removing the pan. There isn't much clearance space. Good luck and feel free to message me or post on here if you have any questions. Removing the engine to drop the pan would be a joke.

 

Just drop the front diff and the cross member and it'll come right out

 

Why not try draining the oil first and use your telescoping magnet through the drain hole?

Can't hurt to try..