Block Heater
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
First thing I would do is use a flexible magnet-on-a-stick and see if you can get it to stick and fish it out that way.
If not, /I/ would probably just leave it and put the new block heater in and run it.
Why? Well, the block heater is in the water jacket at the bottom of the engine. The nut will probably rattle around at the bottom of that water jacket, but isn't going to be picked up and moved around. As long as it stays at the bottom and doesn't, say, get sucked into the water pump, it shouldn't hurt anything.
I'm not going to /recommend/ this, because something /could/ happen... but I doubt it.
If not, /I/ would probably just leave it and put the new block heater in and run it.
Why? Well, the block heater is in the water jacket at the bottom of the engine. The nut will probably rattle around at the bottom of that water jacket, but isn't going to be picked up and moved around. As long as it stays at the bottom and doesn't, say, get sucked into the water pump, it shouldn't hurt anything.
I'm not going to /recommend/ this, because something /could/ happen... but I doubt it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
FIRST first thing I'd do is review whether you want to replace the heater. If it's the original engine, those blocks are known for cracking with block heater usage. You'll have to do your own searching for more info; there's a document floating around with engine numbers and improvements. The change to the block design that's not susceptible to this was sometime in the '85 model year, IIRC. You MIGHT be safe running a lower wattage block heater (the OEM is 1000W, IIRC). The other option is an in-line heater in the lower radiator hose.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
FIRST first thing I'd do is review whether you want to replace the heater. If it's the original engine, those blocks are known for cracking with block heater usage. You'll have to do your own searching for more info; there's a document floating around with engine numbers and improvements. The change to the block design that's not susceptible to this was sometime in the '85 model year, IIRC. You MIGHT be safe running a lower wattage block heater (the OEM is 1000W, IIRC). The other option is an in-line heater in the lower radiator hose.
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