Plastic AC vent dropped into ducting

[tiguanacfume]

I drive a VW Tiguan 2014, and made the common mistake of popping my air-con vent fins off the plastic bar that holds them together. I followed instructions on removing the dashboard trim, but unfortunately the plastic bar has already fallen into the air-con ducting (photos attached, red circled). 2 questions:


1) Any chance I can disassemble this and try to recover the plastic bar? I assume the ducting leads to the air compressor?


2) If not, can I still safely turn on the air-con? Any chance the plastic bar has fallen into delicate areas of the compressor and may jam up if I turn it on?


Many thanks!

[Hillbilly]

Try a vacuum cleaner and see if it will suck it out

[tiguanacfume]

Thanks, do you think the strong reverse air-flow from vacuuming might damage or suck out anything else that I shouldn’t?

[tek199]

bubble gum on a long straw?