Spray nozzle cap lost in Radiator!

brianzero · July 17, 2018, 10:28:57 AM

I have been dealing with a huge amount of silicate dropout, and gel, mud slime formations due to improper and old coolant, thus combating this with a pressure washer stuck in ever available place the coolant travels, the block drains, water pump, behind the thermostats, etc. This has been very effective in getting the garbage of the coolant passages.

Guess what happened? The color coded cap that denotes the spray nozzle type shot off into the top of the radiator! I suppose the question is, if this plastic part isnt buoyant, can I just leave it in the upper radiator tank? Is there enough coolant flow that this plastic part gets draw somewhere that I don't want? I'm trying to avoid removing the radiator just to get this little piece of plastic removed. Opinions welcome.

This is the plastic object in question (minus the brass spray nozzle).

GnarlyBus · July 17, 2018, 11:03:57 AM

It's inside the radiator? I'd try to get it out. I'd start with a endoscopic camera and then try a flexible grabber tool.

brianzero · July 17, 2018, 11:08:02 AM

The endoscopic camera is what I was thinking about trying. I was thinking about adding a hook tool to the end of the camera, and trying hook it out (assuming I can find the plastic cap).

GnarlyBus · July 17, 2018, 11:11:25 AM

My camera, made by depstech and available on amazon, came with a hook. I'd definitely try to get the nozzle out.

brianzero · July 17, 2018, 11:15:20 AM

I definitely don't want that thing finding its way down stream and blocking something. What I want to know is if the coolant flow goes from the bottom of the radiator to the top, or the other direction?

GnarlyBus · July 17, 2018, 11:17:20 AM

Here's a link to a youtube video that shows the inside of an MC9 radiator. I set the link to start right before the top comes off. This may help you in visualizing how to get it out.

https://youtu.be/m-wLSxjTQQ8?t=5m50s

This might actually show the bottom of the radiator and not the top.

GnarlyBus · July 17, 2018, 11:21:03 AM

Attached pics are from the manual. It looks like coolant flows from the top down to me.

brianzero · July 17, 2018, 11:21:49 AM

Nice shot, and thanks for that! That cap should be laying on top of the tubing clusters for easy removal.

brianzero · July 17, 2018, 11:26:05 AM

Indeed, that is what it says 'from thermostat to radiator' thus being top down flow. If thats the case, that piece should be safely captured in the upper radiator tank. To remove or not remove, that is the question.

GnarlyBus · July 17, 2018, 11:33:29 AM

I bet you can get the nozzle out without removing the radiator. Just be creative and patient.

Iceni John · July 17, 2018, 12:22:47 PM

If it's inside the upper tank there's no way for it to get into the lower tank and then sucked into the water pump, not unless it's A) very tiny, and B) you have larger-ID radiator tubes than the cap's size. When I recored my radiator I was surprised how small the water passages were inside each tube. If the cap is magnetic steel you can get it out with a rare-earth magnet on the end of something flexible.

Good luck, John

luvrbus · July 17, 2018, 12:43:18 PM

It will stay in the tank only problem it may move around with the engine running and close the top of some tubes,the water pumps on Detroit's are not wimpy when it comes to moving water

eagle19952 · July 17, 2018, 01:56:41 PM

it isn't going anywhere.
does it float ?

brianzero · July 17, 2018, 02:09:13 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on July 17, 2018, 01:56:41 PM
it isn't going anywhere.
does it float ?

That's the first thing I tried, putting it in a glass of water to see if it floated and no, luckily it doesnt!

Geoff · July 17, 2018, 02:11:13 PM

It will find a cozy spot and not hurt anything.