Technical Clip from universal oil plug popped off inside pan. Options?

While doing an oil change, I was screwing the plug back into the pan (a universal plug put in by the previous owner) and the clip on the inside of the pan popped off. The pan is empty obviously, nothing else has been put in just yet. Could I get a magnet and try and lead it out? Are there any options here, or am I going to need to drop the pan completely?

 

Leave a drain pan underneath, and pour about 1 gallon of gasoline into the engine .
Repeat a few times
Hopefully it will drain out fast enough to take the clip with it.

This method is also good if you're tapping another thread into the pan and need to wash out the filings.

 

Leave it, its not going anywhere. JW

 

You could also stick a strong magnet (like one out of an old disk drive - awesome magnets!) on the pan, and leave it. That way you’re sure it won’t do any damage.

 

How hard is it to pull the pan? Takes 10 minutes on my car, so I would do it. You would be surprised what is still in there after you drain it.

 

Doubt it could ever even get picked up by the oil pump pickup, plus the screen would never allow it to get into the pump. I wouldn't even worry about it.

 

What does it hold? Will it screwup the the function of the drain.

 

Even if you could drop the pan just an 1" or 2. Should be enough to fish it out with telescopic magnet.

 

That’s what I was wondering as well. I’m not familiar with a universal drain plug.

 

I did just flush the engine, so it might just be a good idea to clean out the pan anyway.

 

The clip basically acts as a nut that grabs the inside of the pan while you screw it in from the outside. My only worry is that it'll get carried by the oil through the engine. So basically the nut popped off into the pan while I'm left with the bolt that now screws into nothing. (Universals tighten to clamp the drain closed as opposed to using a threaded bolt that plugs the entire drain)

 

I like the magnet idea (strong rare earth magnet). They sell them at HF. Just walk the clip back over to the hole.

 

Like the voice of reason, ( Mark ),suggested ,,,,drop the pan and do it right and be done with it .
Then you will never have to worry with again .

Tommy

 

If you drop the pan replace it with one with a real drain plug and what i do is put a magnet in there too, usually some strip magnet from a fridge door. JW

 

As my dad used to tell me “ if you can’t find time to do it right the first time when are you going to find time to do it over” I think Mark has given you sound advice!

 

Remember Murpy's law applies to all automotive endeavors; the chance that drain plug will fall out for no apparent reason increases the further away you are from home.

 

After a bit of searching I found this universal drain plug with hand tighten only stamped in it. This what it is?

Amazon.com: Dorman 65109 Universal Oil Drain Plug 1/2 in. to 3/4 in. or M12 to M18 : Automotive

 

An emergency idea. And that's about all.
Same theory as things you use in plaster sheet walls to attach not very heavy objects.

 

I would drop the pan and weld in a new bung no more problems