Leaf fell in oil, must I fish it out of valves?

[Adam Gravois]

#$^@ing shadetrees...

Changing my oil today, when a gust of wind drops a little leaf right in the funnel. Before I can react, shwoop! It's down the funnel and somewhere in the valves.

I can't see it in there through the oil hole to fish it out. Am I condemned to remove the valve cover to remove it? (At least I have a spare valve cover seal on hand.) Is there any alternative? I presume it will harm my engine to turn it on with that #%@$ leaf in there, yes?

[socalfiver]

if it's big enough, it could clog an oil passage. It sucks, but I'd pull the valve cover and see if you can fish it out. Better safe than really, really sorry.

[GripGreg]

Don't fool with mother nature!
I've re-used my valve cover gaskets as long as they weren't broken. Never a leak either. Good Luck

[Blaise]

It really depends on the kind of leaf, the size of the leaf and what state of decomposition it was in.

Just kidding, I would play it safe and get it out. While I can't imagine that it would do anything beyond quickly getting cooked and turning into soup, it would be ashame if anything went wrong.

[Adam Gravois]

It really depends on the kind of leaf, the size of the leaf and what state of decomposition it was in.

It was definitely not an OEM leaf.

[wkohler]

It really doesn't take that long to get the leaf out. While you're in there, you might find a bunch of the little rings from the necks of oil bottles.

[Domingo]

What kind of leaf?

[Adam Gravois]

This kind of leaf:


Well, that wasn't so hard. Got the whole leaf out in one piece which makes me feel a lot better about things. Total time: about 45 minutes.

[Domingo]

That's a Poignatas motorum mortem leaf, you do have to take her out as soon as possible! What are you waiting for?

After 48 hours their acidity multiplies exponentially giving out,sometimes something similar to LSD. Drivers behind your car may start driving erratically...

Good luck!