Topic: Dropped small cap into my Gas Tank
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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Guys, don't laugh!!! First let me say I'm 67, so none of you will threaten to come up and take my car away from me.
Bought my '68 so I could get in on all the fun and self satisfaction of turning a wrench on my own car..............(A want to be mechanic)
While putting some gas conditioner in my fuel tank, I dropped the small plastic top into that gapping gas tank hole. It quickly sank to the bottom off to the side where I can't see it.
Looking straight down with a flashlight I can see the metal tube with about a 3" mesh net filter. While I was originally concerned about the cap moving around and restricted the gas flow, I see the mesh will prevent that from happening.
Still I went to Lowe's and bought a thing that is about 24" long, that you push on the end and finger like things extend out so that you can pick things up.
I will keep this in the car and periodically look into the tank. Should the cap be within reach I'll pluck it out.
Other than that are there any real risks or suggestions that you might have to help this "Big Dummy Out?"
God Bless,
rick
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible

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Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Woody dropped a shoelace into his tank trying to get his calculator watch out....(guess what movie that was from...)
That cap won't hurt anything at all. With the tank low on fuel, you should be able to fish it out easily if it is turned open end up.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Temple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
Try one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pick-Up-Tool-Reacher-Grabber-36-Inch-3-Feet-Long-Long-With-Gripper-Lock-New-/221019727324?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3375cd65dc
or search ebay looking for pick up tool
or else get two sticks and use them like chop sticks
Or look for womething like this at your local 99cent store.
But thanks for the heads up. I use that gas conditioner and never gave the cap a second thought. Now I will always make sure to set far from the car!!
|UPDATED|12/23/2013 12:55:05 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pick-Up-Tool-Reacher-Grabber-36-Inch-3-Feet-Long-Long-With-Gripper-Lock-New-/221019727324?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3375cd65dc
or search ebay looking for pick up tool
or else get two sticks and use them like chop sticks
Or look for womething like this at your local 99cent store.
But thanks for the heads up. I use that gas conditioner and never gave the cap a second thought. Now I will always make sure to set far from the car!!

|UPDATED|12/23/2013 12:55:05 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Thanks guys!
Since you've been so kind, I'll share that after it happened, I went and got my long BBQ tongs and was probing around until I realized I was holding it in the tank with only 2 fingers
!

Talk about Stupid on Stupid! Well I went to Lowe's and I've already purchased a grabbing device and have it in the car. Like suggested I'll check from time to time and see if it's reachable and pluck it out.
thx for all the valuable advice on various topics and stay tuned for my next opps!!
Merry Christmas to all a good night!
rick
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible


Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Well I shared my stupidity with you all, so I thought I'd share my success.
Every once in a while I take a flash light and look into my tank to see if the cap I dropped in it is visible. About a month ago I saw the cap paper insert and retrieved it with a claw tool that I bought for about $3 at Lowe's/member_uploads/25101_25200/25161/DDC55_Cap_Insert_Retreval.jpg
The other day when my tank was a little low on gas I happened to check the tank like I periodically do and sure enough, there was the cap. Using my claw tool, I reached down and plucked the cap out of the tank.........Perserverance and Success!!!
FYI - this claw tool also came with an extender with a magnet on the end. Very handy and I'm glad to have both in my tool box.
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible


Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Yea!!!!! 

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Temple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
Kudos to your Perserverance and Success.

Hey, I bought one of those same twofers at Lowes...lol. Good job on your retrieval operation! I had my tank pickup filter rolling around in there for a while. No problem...I eventually had to put in a new sending unit and fixed it all up then. Best of luck!

C3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18377
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
I've had one of those grabby-tool-thingies for a long time. It's amazing how often they come in handy, not only while working on the car, but around the house! (Think HVAC vents, behind furniture, etc!)
Nice job and thanks for the follow up!
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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