Dropped starter bolt in engine JD 5045D

[Korx]

Hey guys, my first post here so bear with me.

I was having one of the kids do what I thought was a simple job on one of my deeres today. Had him replacing the starter but he seemed to have dropped the bolt for the starter into the opening of the engine where the starter gear is.

My question is, is there some way to get this bolt out easily? What should I do? It's a JD 5045D

Thanks for any help guys

 

[SPYDERLK]

Check for an inspection cover underneath. I believe my 2010 has one.
larry

 

[Korx]

There is a small plug on the bottom, I believe it's a 9/16's head, and on either side near the starter are two large plugs, a 1 1/4" or somewhere around there. I pulled both off and the 9/16 I couldn't see anything. The two 1 1/4" plugs on the side came off and opened up to the starter gear but didn't seem low enough or large enough to see anything. I'm guessing the bolt. What would an inspection cover look like?

 

[Birdhunter1]

Likely it is underneath the tractor facing the engine or below the bellhousing where the flywheel is. It should (guessing as most tractors and engines are) be a dry area where no oil will be leaking out.

 

[Korx]

This isn't the oil pan correct? I was contemplating removing the oil pan to see if I could get to it that way. If that's the case then it must be on the rear side of the flywheel correct? Because the oil pan almost buts up to the front side of the flywheel.

 

[kuboman]

This isn't the oil pan correct? I was contemplating removing the oil pan to see if I could get to it that way. If that's the case then it must be on the rear side of the flywheel correct? Because the oil pan almost buts up to the front side of the flywheel.

It will be behind the oil pan. Can you see it with a flashlight and mirror? Get yourself a magnet on a flexible extension and fish around with it. I have had good luck with that in similar situations.

 

[Zebrafive]

First make sure the bolt did drop in to the clutch housing. I have lost bolts and assumed the worst only to later find it under a rear tire so far back I did not see it until I moved the tractor.

Do NOT remove the oil pan. There is no way the bolt could have gotten there from the clutch housing side.

Look for a square plate on the bottom of the clutch housing held on with four bolts. this might give you access.

A magnet on a flexible handle might fish it out.

Good luck!

 

[AGGIE00]

First make sure the bolt did drop in to the clutch housing. I have lost bolts and assumed the worst only to later find it under a rear tire so far back I did not see it until I moved the tractor.

Do NOT remove the oil pan. There is no way the bolt could have gotten there from the clutch housing side.

Look for a square plate on the bottom of the clutch housing held on with four bolts. this might give you access.

A magnet on a flexible handle might fish it out.

Good luck!

What he said