washer fell down coolant channel

[yota-runner]

I found a washer in the coolant channel of the driver side head. When I tried to remove it with a hook tool it fell off and dropped deeper :faint:. How serious of a problem am I looking at? Think it could of made it to the thermostat? I need to do a wp/tb change so I'd much rather get it there than have to pull the head.

 

[yota-runner]

Initially I was looking at a diagram of the coolant paths that made the thermostat look a lot closer to the spot in the picture above, I really doubt it made if there unless it's a straight drop. Closer inspection makes me believe it might be in this area in the new picture. Anyone know if the channel in the above picture goes directly to the lower radiator hose?

EDIT: The 3d image of the engine I had in my head was a little off, I didn't realize this was the thermostat housing until I pulled it off, so this post was a little ill informed. Didn't find it there, I'll be picking up some magnets tomorrow to try and get it.

 

[vipergrhd]

Worth checking

If i were you i would pull the thrmostat housing and check it yourself to see if it did went down that far,if not i won't lose sleep about it if i were you. That is why you cover up all holes when working on the engine you never know what could bounce off from your hands and hit the jackpot causing you to spend money that you don't have. Just a simple reminder to all.

 

[JBurt]

Magnet?

 

[shootmymime]

im not sure how much is cast iron on out engines (most aluminum i suppose) work a magnet attached to a string or coat hanger down there and go fishing. be sure not to loose the magnet.

 

[yota-runner]

If i were you i would pull the thrmostat housing and check it yourself to see if it did went down that far,if not i won't lose sleep about it if i were you. That is why you cover up all holes when working on the engine you never know what could bounce off from your hands and hit the jackpot causing you to spend money that you don't have. Just a simple reminder to all.

Good advice, I discovered it while covering the holes, it had that crusty white coolant build up on it and was jammed in there pretty tight so it's been there since I've owned it. It was fine there for at least 40k+ miles, I still wanted it out though.

im not sure how much is cast iron on out engines (most aluminum i suppose) work a magnet attached to a string or coat hanger down there and go fishing. be sure not to loose the magnet.

I'm going to try this, as long as it's in the head I should be able to get it, any lower and I'll be sticking to iron.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Good advice, I discovered it while covering the holes, it had that crusty white coolant build up on it and was jammed in there pretty tight so it's been there since I've owned it. It was fine there for at least 40k+ miles, I still wanted it out though.



I'm going to try this, as long as it's in the head I should be able to get it, any low and I'll be sticking to iron.

http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/catalog/Wright/WRImagnetic retrieval snake.jpg

This particular magnetic pick up tool stays retracted in a housing until you pull the trigger. I have a similar tool that has literally saved my sanity dozens of times. I think if you just stuck almost any flexible magnetic tool down there it will grab it (unless it's wedged) You'll almost feel it grab.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I've said this before for other circumstances, but if that washer is aluminum (as many are in that area since the fuel rail washers are copper or aluminum) you'll never get it out with a magnet. If you know the passage it fell through comes out the thermo stat housing (pour some water down it to see if it comes out there) then used compressed air and blow it out.

 

[Doc2012]

Just FYI, unless I'm horribly mistaken, the BLOCK is cast iron, and everything above the pistons is aluminum.

I could be wrong though. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[MyHigh]

What about necking down a shop vac to a small flexable piece of tubing it would strain the vac motor (so what) but it would also create quite the suction at the end of the tube.

 

[Tyota89]

Just FYI, unless I'm horribly mistaken, the BLOCK is cast iron, and everything above the pistons is aluminum.

I could be wrong though. Wouldn't be the first time.

You sir are correct.

OP, I would take the housing off and see if it went that way. If none of the above work; get access to a borescope and see where it went. Some borescopes will even have a working channel with a claw on it. Dont know if you have a hobbyshop that will rent on out. It is an option if you can locate one.