Droppped bolt into Cylinder Head

[KBR779]

After recently purchasing an E36 M3 I was told there was a leak in the valve cover gasket. After removing the valve cover gasket, it seemed to be in excellent shape, and the source of the leak being an untightened bolt connecting the cylinder head and the block. When I tried to take the bolt out, I accidentally dropped it into the cylinder head, I cant find it and I'm not sure what to do. What should i do to find it, could it have left the cylinder head, and what damage can it do to the engine if I try to start it?

[pbonsalb]

Find it. Fish around with a magnet stick. Probably just covered with oil and not visible. If you dropped it down the timing chain hole that could be an issue. You would want to look down the hole to make sure is is not stuck in the chain or in a guide or sprocket. If it is on the bottom of the pan, it might just stay there or you can pull the pan. Not super easy but not impossible and there are DIY.

[JitteryJoe]

How did it fall into cylinder head? What bolt? Where? I'm missing something.

[ScotcH]

yeah, strong magnet on a stalk is your friend ... but we need more info. Which bolt, where did it fall? pics?