So, I was changing the water pump on my '93 240 and dropped a nut into the lower portion of the timing belt cover. I've spent 2 hours doing everything I can think of (magnets, coat hangers, etc.) to find that nut down there without removing the crankshaft pulley. so I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you can help me out with

1. If i just need to remove the pulley to get the cover removed is this complicated? I've read posts on here, and in the Bentley book, mostly about changing the timing belt. I don't need to get in that deep. can i just use an impact driver (as ppl have suggested ) to remove it (the pulley) and again to replace it (after I get that damn nut).

2. If I use an impact driver to remove the pulley, is it as simple as retightening the 24mm bolt, if I'm not getting into the timing belt?


3. If it is more complicated, does that mean using the "rope trick"?

thanks in advance