Hi all,
When attempting to replace the front frost plugs, i accidentally pushed one into the water jacket. I got close a few times grabbing it, but my last attempt pushed it further into the bottom of the engine.

Ticks me off I was so close... The engine is in the car and i wasn't planning on pulling the motor.

1. how serious of an issue is this?
2. should i be concerned with circulation or cooling issues? (It's just a street car only and not driven hard).
3. should i be able to get a visual from one of the side freeze plugs if i remove it (although probably a %!#@# to install a new frost plug through the side with the engine in).

Thank you.
Eddie

 

They have nothing to do with frost...

 

Understood - my concern was not that, it was that the plugs in the water jackets would limit the coolant flow in the engine.

Eddie

 

I wouldn't want to leave them in there...

 

Any chance you could use a magnet to grab it or is it too far inside?
I assume freeze plugs are steel and the magnet would work but not sure.

 

Unfortunately its brass.

I ordered a scope to see where it is, and i'll try a few tools - coat hangers etc to hook it. I wont feel right until it's out.
Thanks for your comments, all,

 

How about a coat hanger with something sticky on the end - like wrap the end with double sided tape?? Or put a glob of hot glue on the end and stick it to the freeze plug. Let it dry and try to pull it closer to the hole & grab with another tool.

 

That's not the ideal fishing expedition. Another potential method might be:

 

Yes all good suggestions. I'll do some digging at it.
thanks all

 

I would think the pervasive sliminess of antifreeze would thwart any attempts to stick something to it.

I do like the look of Vader's solution if it fits into where it needs to.....

 

I have a grabber tool that i am going to try, plus the scope that i have has grabber or hook attachment as well.
Im just trying to avoid a whole tool chest of dropped articles sitting in the block from attempt to get at the plug.

 

LOL. Sounds like that nursery rhyme were the old lady swallowed a fly, then a bird, then a cat, then a dog...

 

I hope you get it out, but I'm not sure it will be a big deal if it stays in there. I'm in no way educated or enlightened about it. Just thinking to myself that people used to fill the block partially to add core strength to the block and that's a lot bigger obstruction than what you've got going on. I'm assuming it will stay on the bottom and not ever block the water pump galley.

 

I just saw this post and had a thought...any way you could get a shop vac hose or attachment over the frost plug hole and try to remove it with suction? It will likely pull coolant but may have enough power to pull your frost plug too.

 

thanks. I have read other info about that too. Rather it out of course.

 

That was my first attempt. I taped a small PVC line to my shop vac and ended up pushing it back further.

I may try to remove my block heater plug and see if I can get a visual and grab it from there.