Exhaust flapper fell down in the exhaust tube

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

I lost an exhaust flapper down one of the exhaust tubes. I used my endoscope camera to locate it. I was able to hook it with the small hook on the camera but the aluminum hook would bend when I pulled it. It is wedged in there pretty good. I could probably fish it out if I used a wedge to get under it. Then there would be space to get one of my spring loaded pickup tools to grab it. I have attached a photo. There is a risk that I could lose the wedge down the tube too. Since it is laying flat on the bottom of the exhaust tube and wedged in the pocket it is very unlikely to move. The safe bet may be to just leave it alone. Any advice?

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

 

[tpenfield]

Google "mechanics grabber claw tool" as those have stronger ends to pull the flapper remains out.

What engine is this, as we will want to move the thread to the appropriate engine section of the forum? (Mercruiser/Alpha One)?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Another option might be to pull the drive, 'n fish it out from the bottom,....

 

[kenny nunez]

I would first try to get it by removing the exhaust bellows, with the drive all the way up there should be enough room to reach it.

 

[nola mike]

Flappers can supposedly wear a hole in the y pipe over time, though I'm not sure if it's the flapper itself or the pin that does the damage. Good ideas about trying to reach it from the drive side

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Google "mechanics grabber claw tool" as those have stronger ends to pull the flapper remains out.

What engine is this, as we will want to move the thread to the appropriate engine section of the forum? (Mercruiser/Alpha One)?

Thank you for the reply! I taped the camera to one of my "grabber tools". The angle of approach and the position of the flapper (lying flat) have thwarted my attempts so far. I've got to get the flapper tilted up in the front to hook it.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Ayuh,..... Another option might be to pull the drive, 'n fish it out from the bottom,....

Thank you. The drive is off right now, I'll try that too.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

I would first try to get it by removing the exhaust bellows, with the drive all the way up there should be enough room to reach it.

Thank you for the reply! I'll give that a try.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Flappers can supposedly wear a hole in the y pipe over time, though I'm not sure if it's the flapper itself or the pin that does the damage. Good ideas about trying to reach it from the drive side

Well that is reason enough to keep trying to remove it. Thank you!

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

My post was moved to the Mercruiser thread so I will post any updates there.
Thanks again for the help! This is an Alpha one drive, 5.7, 260 hp Mercruiser engine

 

[04fxdwgi25]

To remove one stuck like that one time, I had to use a piece of an electricians fish tape (pretty strong stuff) with a small hook bent on it. Pushed it down past the bottom of the flapper and pulled it up, from the bottom, enough to get the mechanics grabber hooking into one of the holes and it came right out.

You probably can get the fish tape hooked on one of the ears to get it to move

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

To remove one stuck like that one time, I had to use a piece of an electricians fish tape (pretty strong stuff) with a small hook bent on it. Pushed it down past the bottom of the flapper and pulled it up, from the bottom, enough to get the mechanics grabber hooking into one of the holes and it came right out.

You probably can get the fish tape hooked on one of the ears to get it to move

I'll give it a go. Thanks!

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Been there - done that:

How to get flapper out of 4.3L pipe, without pulling bell housing?

Flapper broke off and 1/2 is stuck in-between the Y and the separated section of the pipe, just before the upward bend. I can move it freely about 4" farther back from where it is now, but it is too wide to get any further past that, either way. Vacuum - nope! Long flexible grabber - nope...

forums.iboats.com

 

[stresspoint]

i see a Y pipe removal in your future !!!!!..

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

i see a Y pipe removal in your future !!!!!..

Naw, I don't give up that easy.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Been there - done that:

How to get flapper out of 4.3L pipe, without pulling bell housing?

Flapper broke off and 1/2 is stuck in-between the Y and the separated section of the pipe, just before the upward bend. I can move it freely about 4" farther back from where it is now, but it is too wide to get any further past that, either way. Vacuum - nope! Long flexible grabber - nope...

forums.iboats.com

Cool! Thanks for the input. I'm always looking for an excuse to buy another tool.

 

[nola mike]

Naw, I don't give up that easy.

Dremel on a string?

 

[stresspoint]

ha ha, funny thing , when i had my motor out and exhaust flappers removed for replacement , i had this thought , i hope nothing falls down there "ill never get it out once the motor is in".
with that thought i taped up the Y pipe so it was sealed , that tape stayed there till the flappers were in place .
good luck , keep us posted on how you get that bit outa there !.

 

[Cali_Boat_Guy]

Dremel on a string?

That's crazy enough to work!