Broken Oil Plug - OK to leave it there?

[2canSAM]

Car is a 2002 Dodge Stratus SE+ Sedan with the 2.4L DOHC engine. Many years ago the oil change place boogered up my drain plug and replaced it with one of these plugs linked below. I have since done my own oil changes. Today while tightening the plug back up the grabber arms broke off and are now in the oil pan itself. I tried to remove without luck. Dropping the oil pan on this model is quite an ordeal and I wanted to know if there was any harm by leaving them there? Part of me says yes the is a chance but the other parts says there is no way the would make it through the oil pick up tube.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...google&utm_campaign=value3&utm_content=value4

 

[LTC8K6]

It would worry me, but they probably won't cause trouble.

I'd try to get them out with a small magnet on a wire or something like that.

 

[bbs lm-r]

I'm thinkin the same that they wouldn't get past the oil pickup screen, but I still wouldn't want them in there.

You think you could get ahold of a flex magnet, like this? To fish em out.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...2&blockType=G2

 

[2canSAM]

Trying the magnet thing now, very small hole to work with. I will have to check out that flex magnet, thanks

 

[SuperSix]

Or pout a massive magnet on the outside of the oil pan, from an old speaker or something.
Eventually that piece will slide/move and stay where that magnet is.

That, and fix it the right way ASAP. See if you can find someone to weld a bung on the pah or something.

 

[Phynaz]

Nothing to worry about. I had one of these break off in my pan years ago.

 

[2canSAM]

Was able to fish the piece out using a magnet on the outside and a screw retriever. With my luck the piece would have eventually found a way to do some damage

 

[foghorn67]

Nice update! Always good not to have something to worry about.

 

[PottedMeat]

Many years ago the oil change place boogered up my drain plug and replaced it with one of these plugs linked below. I have since done my own oil changes.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...google&utm_campaign=value3&utm_content=value4

hmm never seen one of those before - did you at least get something from the oil change place for messing up your oil pan?

 

[thomsbrain]

I really like that speaker magnet idea. But glad you fished it out.

 

[Bignate603]

Was able to fish the piece out using a magnet on the outside and a screw retriever. With my luck the piece would have eventually found a way to do some damage

Nice work, must have taken some patience to fish out of there.

 

[pcgeek11]

If the oil change place buggered up the oil drain plug why did they not repair it properly? I would have insisted. That is one of many good reasons I change my own oil.