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coralcrazed
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2009
00:34:23

Subject: lost bolt... help!
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Ok, i have a 2000 dodge dakota sport pick up 2WD and I was changing out my termostat... all went good until I went to put the bolt back on the cover. one of the two bolts fell behind the alternator (I think)... i know its somewhere in the space between the alternator and the engine block. I tried to find it with a mirror witout any luck. Should i worry about it? or just go out and buy another bolt? If so anyone know what type of bolt would work for this area at the themostat cover? Also I wonder if one of those handy magnet fishing tool would work here... Any sugggestions???



92dakotabasta
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2009
22:37:19

RE: lost bolt... help!
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if you leave that bolt lost, it might dislodge and get into the fan
and then its a little missile...may do some damage under the hood!
extra long nose pliers, magnets, just get that bolt out!!



Marx
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2009
22:44:01

RE: lost bolt... help!
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Remove the alternator and retrieve the bolt.

Think about it this way:

If you leave the bolt where it is, what's the worst that could happen.




coralcrazed
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2009
09:25:27

RE: lost bolt... help!
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welp, I tried finding it with a magnet and nothing... i wish i had a better understanding of what that cavity looks like. I would be better equiped to try and bend the fishing wire to deeper locations. Anyone know where I could get a diagram? How difficult is it to remove the alternator? I think it actually might be under the AC compressor/cluch so I may need to remove that too. any suggestions?



92dakotabasta
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2009
18:54:28

RE: lost bolt... help!
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First of all, your "own" two eyes are required and not a diagram!!
If your going to remove the alternator, disconnect the battery first.
Remove the belt from the alternator by slacking the belt tensioner,
2 bolts on the alternator and one smaller bolt for the oil dipstick,
you should be able to remove the alternator with the wires still on
it, but do it carefully.....take your time and sniff that bolt out!!
Use a coat hanger make a little hook at the end and get going!!!



coralcrazed
Dodge Dakota
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9/05/2009
19:50:00

RE: lost bolt... help!
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thats what I was woried about... those AC lines on top... so I guess I'm just raising it enough to take a peek, right? that should be simple enough to do than. what I was refering to in terms of a diagram was for trying to fish it out with a magnet. if I had a better understanding of the cavity than I could bend the wire to get it in the crevices.



Kowalski
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9/06/2009
08:32:34

RE: lost bolt... help!
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You could always disconnect the wires if you find that easier.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

coralcrazed
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2009
02:28:58

RE: lost bolt... help!
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damn after 2 1/2 hours of removing the ac compressor and the alternator and the bracket that attaches the two to the engine block. i came up with nothing, no bolt, nothing. So i put it back together. I'm going to assume that it just fell out at some point unless someone can tell me where else to check. thanks



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2009
15:31:01

RE: lost bolt... help!
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Here's a tip for the next time. Put a little dab of silicone sealent or grease in the socket your using to install the bolt. That will hold it in the socket and you won't lose it.



coralcrazed
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2009
20:11:59

RE: lost bolt... help!
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you know what they say... "sometimes you learn the hard way"... :0)



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