Ok first, the nut it NOT in the spark plug hole, because it fell before I took the plug out... but it did fall into one of the nooks and crannies around the hole, so how would I go about getting it? I don't have anything magnetic other than a screwdriver, but it seems that I would need something flexible.

Will this do damage if I start the engine without fishing it out? Or can I just leave it lost down there and use another nut that I have?

Here is the picture, it's in one of these areas... It's hard to tell by the picture but there are very small spaces that go kinda deep... what are these even for?

 

That looks like it is under the fuel rail on the intake manifold? if so when I had mine all apart of the weekend I did not see anywhere that would be "dangerous" to have a lose nut. I had to buy a telescoping magnet since I dropped a push rod into an oil valley in the head

 

Go to Harbor Freight (maybe Lowe's or Home Depot - last resort Radio Shack) and get one of those retractible magnets. It'll be a bit of a pain, 'cause it'll want to latch on to any ferrous metal. A magnetized screwdriver might work and it won't be so grippy.

What does this nut do?

 

If your 100% certain it is not in the cylinder and cannot find it, just use another nut.

But yes, it looks like it may be under your fuel rail under your connector.

 

The nut just holds the plastic piece that connects to the spark plug.

I think its buried in one of those crevices to the left of the plugs, those things go way deep, i tried tying a magnet to a shoestring but its not picking up anything in there...

So this nut doesn't seem like it would do any damage?

If it WERE in the cylinder, im 99% certain it isn't, I would hear it right away when I start the engine, right?

 

if it's in the cylinder.. and you start the engine..

your cylinder head and or piston will be totally fubarred..

If you don't know where the nut fell or arn't 100 % sure... don't start the truck..

 

Well I can't find it anywhere, it was only while I had the cap off... the spark plug was still plugged in, I'm sure I would have felt it when removing the spark plug, so I'm certain it ISNT in the cylinder

However, if it fell into one of those crevices, what could happen? Where do those lead and what is their purpose?

 

Got it! Went to advanced auto parts and got their huge magnet that lifts up to 5lbs

fished around a bit and heard it snap right to it. It wasnt in a cylinder, it was just in an area that I couldn't really see...

Thanks for the responses guys!

 

Those crevasses are just to keep the fuel rails and everything above the manifold off of the manifold. They also help with cooling as it allows air to flow through and across the top of the manifold. There is really no main purpose for them, they don't "go" anywhere, the nut was likely just resting atop of the plastic manifold and would have likely just fallen off overtime. There is nothing that could have damaged your engine if you would have left it under there. On another note, glad you found it. It would have driven me crazy knowing that there was a loose nut somewhere that I couldn't find.

 

Oh ok, thanks, I was wondering why there was a system of tunnels under there, lol

Anyways, I'm glad that I know it wouldn't cause damage, but like you said, I am also glad I found it because it would have driven me crazy as well...

I learned my lesson: take your time, especially when unscrewing nuts by hand