Lost Straw in Engine

[doehl1]

Okay, so it finally happened to me. I have a 5.7L Mercruiser Alpha One. While winterizing, was spraying fogging oil into (thankfully) the first, closest cylinder through the spark plug hole, and the red plastic straw came off the spray can. I didn't actually see it go into the cylinder, but I searched for hours and couldn't find it. Bumped the motor (no spark) about a dozen times and never could see saw the straw. Next step is borescope or fire it up. I can't imagine the plastic would last long. I won't do a shop vac (gasoline?). Any other suggestions? Anyone have any bad experiences from starting it up and letting it burn out? Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

little plastic straw won't hurt anything- will just get chopped up and go out the exhaust.

and yes, I had a plastic comb go through a 350. Was holding the choke open on my Chevelle, while friend started it.... he revved it and the comb was gone.

I rebuilt the motor a decade later - no sign of the comb.

 

[Failproof]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

I've seen engines suck in the red straws lots of times. If thru the carb, they don't make the turns through the runners. The melt first, then get drawn thru. I've even seen Shop towels sucked in, torn up; spit out! Your red straw will not hurt anything....pour some gas in that cyl and the red straw might disolve??? Haven't tested this yet. Try with another straw and a glass of gas. Doubt it due to what chemicals are in the spray don't melt the straws, but?????

 

[fmalott]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

i'd be a little nervous just leaving it try to scope it and use those reach sticks you know you push one end and little claws come out i have done that with little bolts and nuts fallen into cylinder

 

[Don S]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

Put the spark plug in, start the engine, straw all gone. End of problem.

 

[fmalott]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

well if Don S. says it's ok then it's Ok still

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

And in the future, if you spray it into the carb on a running engine you don't need to remove the plugs and have a repeat of this process. The fogging oil will kill the engine. Turn the key off and put the boat to bed. Just make sure all your other winterizing tasks are done first except for draining the cooling system.

 

[maproy99]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

I was spraying my cylinders up with cleaner, I kept thinking, don't mess up, it will be a nightmare to get this straw out. Geez, I should just poped on here and read this 2 hours ago, peace of mind would have been a nice thing.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

Sometimes i take a small pick and push it in the end of the straw to swell it up... making a tighter connection. Just don't push so hard that you slip and stab your own finger... don't ask me how i know this.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

I was spraying my cylinders up with cleaner.

I hope you weren't spraying brake cleaner into the sparkplug holes.
It will remove the oil film on the rings and walls.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

Put the spark plug in, start the engine, straw all gone. End of problem.

Bravo... Of course you could always, strain the exhaust with a piece of cheese cloth similar to straining baby poop when little johnny swallows a penny. Just kidding, Sunday humour.. everybody laugh now... enjoy your day...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

We lost a WD-40 straw in one of the cylinders when fogging one year. Never found it upon teardown a decade later, and engine never skipped a beat. No worries.

 

[achris]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

Just curious... But why are people removing spark plugs to fog the engine? Don't you guys just spray it down the carb until the engine stalls out, like the instruction say?

......

 

[TomB985]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

Just curious... But why are people removing spark plugs to fog the engine? Don't you guys just spray it down the carb until the engine stalls out, like the instruction say?

......

I did both through the carb and into the cylinders on mine. The directions told me to!

I apologize for the poor photo!

 

[fmalott]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

well you learn something new everyday hmmm

 

[thumpar]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

My rewind starter is a pain to work on my I/O engine.

 

[achris]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

I did both through the carb and into the cylinders on mine. The directions told me to!

I apologize for the poor photo!

Cool...

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

Prevent the problem...
http://www.amsoil.com/products/promos/straw_holders.aspx

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

not a big fan of amsoil, but the straw holder is pretty neat, Wish i had invented that.

 

[doehl1]

Re: Lost Straw in Engine

Thanks to all for your comments. Glad to know this isn't a big deal. Will sleep better for sure. As for the comments regarding fogging the cylinders in addition to down the carb, it was on the instructions of the fogging oil container. In any event, not a big deal on my 5.7L Mercruiser to do this. Lots of room and easy to do, maybe 30 minutes to do all eight cylinders. Also makes for an good reason to do a check on the plugs, which should be done at least once a season anyway, no?