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I am in the middle of installing my Injen CAI on my 2k2 Coupe LX auto. I was putting back in the air temp sensor when I dropped the rubber gromet. It went down in between the intake runners, I think...

Anyway where would that drop down to?
Will it hurt anything there?
How do I get it out?
What happens if I drive to the dealership without that sensor and get a new gromet?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 
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If it went down the throttle body and into the intake manifold, DO NOT START YOUR CAR.

now that that's posted, I'm gonna edit in a more comprehensive response

 
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If it were me I wouldn't move my car til I found it. Good luck

 
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no it did not go into the throttle body, it went forward towards the valve cover. landed on the black piece behind the fuel rail (not sure of the proper name). and the went out of sight.

 
Rep Power: 425

Well, wait... when you dropped it, did you have the intake bolted over the throttle already? If so, did the grommet fall inside the pipe or outside the pipe? If it went inside, DO NOT START THE CAR. carefully remove the top pipe, and gently pick the grommet off the throttle plate. I would use tweezers or something, and hold the throttle cable closed to be safe. If it fell outside the pipe, then it just fell down... the intake runners are U shaped so it may be in the 'U', or if fell all the way through. Look on the frame rail underneath or on the ground. If you had the throttle covered, then it should not have fallen into the engine.

 
Rep Power: 319

whew! It should be ok to drive then. The worst thing that can happen is the sucker starts melting and it'll create a stinky smell for a while.

Are you talking about the really short piece of tubing that goes around the sensor? If you have enough on the other tube, you can cut a little piece off that and use it.

 
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thanks for the quick responces guys

anyway the gromet did fall down outside of the tube, I can see down into where it fell and I can see the ground. the hole looks to small for it to fit through though. the piece that fell is the rubber piece that seals the air temp sensor into the intake.

since I know it is not inside the intake it should not be a problem right? I mean there is no other way for it to get inside anywhere?

But my second worry is will my car run ok, to get to the dealer to buy a new one? or should I just be safe and have a friend take me?

 
Rep Power: 425

Well, I wouldn't start the car without that sensor in there.... 1. you'll be sucking in unfiltered air
2. the sensor will be flopping around and could break.

Options would be to get a buddy to drive you to the dealer and get one, Use the stock one (Assuming the Injen one is what you dropped), if you have to go ghetto, put the sensor in and tape it in there until you can get a grommet, but make sure it seals.

 
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k, thanks!!!