Some dirt and sand into cylinder hole

[bd92]

I posted on my other topic about this but i kinda need to know the answer now because i need to drive to LA (around an hour drive)
After changing the gaskets i noticed some sand and dirt got into the cylinder, i turned it on and it knocked and popped for a few seconds before it turned off (Still regaining fuel pressure) I turned it on again and it made the same sound and i turned it off a fter a few seconds.

Is it safe to drive and keep driving to make sure it all gets out?
What else can i do?
How much damage am i doing?

Suggestions/advice? Thanks guys!

[nitrouso]

How big exactly are the sand and dirt particles? Are they coarse or is it fine (Like powder)? I think the size of the particles will make all the difference in the world in your situation.

[bd92]

Most of it i believe was kinda powderish, but some of it felt like sand. Nothing like a rock, but still. Am i in that much trouble? I turned on the car already like two times, so should i try turning it on agian to get everything out?

[sfgearhead]

It wouldn't hurt to pull the plugs on the affected cylinder and pop a vacuum on the hole and try to suck it out. But odds are if there is damage, it's done.

You could score the wall or float a valve. But odds are it blew out.

[Layne]

If the knocking is actually related to the dirt, then the damage is done and there's nothing you can do. I really doubt that it is though, would probably take around a handful of sand to do immediate major damage.

[mikemxbike4]

So it started knocking after you changed what gaskets? Sounds like you did something wrong when putting it back together.

[mikemxbike4]

So it started knocking after you changed what gaskets? Sounds like you did something wrong when putting it back together.

[bd92]

Intake manifold gaskets. It wasnt that much of dirt/sand it was alot less than a handful haha, and i just reopened everything just incase to clean out what i could and it was powdery (dirt/sand) and i hope it wasnt to bad. Could the knocking be possible because the fuel pressure wasnt pressurize and as it wasnt getting enough fuel so it knocked? Well ima go put everything back and turn on the car and hope for the best! Will keep ya guys updated.