Major problem

Graveyard1984 · Jan 3, 2018

Yesterday I was checking the antifreeze freeze protection in my antique tractors .
I was using the little thing with the balls in that float and the clear tube fell off in the radiator.
How do I get it out?
Or do I just leave it in the radiator?
If left in their will it hurt anything?
Thanks

Janicholson · Jan 3, 2018

The tube and balls are likely bigger than the radiator tubes. I would leave it until spring, then when warm, fish it out. Careful use a a piece of copper wire with a "L" in the end can be used as a rake to pull them to the fill neck. Jim

Graveyard1984 · Jan 3, 2018

The clear tube is all that fell off
I still have the device.

cjunrau · Jan 3, 2018

Shop vac sometimes works

Bruce from Can. · Jan 4, 2018

Call me lazy, but I think I would just go buy a new tester and forget about it.

MarkB_MI · Jan 4, 2018

I say fuhgetaboutit. It's too big to fit through the radiator tubes, and the coolant flow won't allow it to go back into the thermostat where it could cause problems.

Stephen Newell · Jan 4, 2018

I think the tube and the balls will stay in the top of the radiator. If it were me I would take the radiator off, turn it upside down and rinse it out.

used red MN · Jan 4, 2018

Topic should have read minor problem. Get one of these flexible grabbers...see link...Harbor Freight, home improvement store, auto parts store any of these should have one. Drain coolant down below to header plate of radiator and remove. Or leave it in there most likely won?t hurt a thing. A major problem is a hole in your block with a connecting rod sticking out and your antifreeze on the floor. Lol.
Grabber link

Steve@Advance · Jan 4, 2018

I don't see it causing any problem.

If it happens to float by where you can see it, grab it, but more likely to cause damage poking around in there than just leaving it.

Dieseltech · Jan 4, 2018

If it's just the tube drain the coolant enough to see it, then use a bent wire and fish it out. Coat hanger end hook should go into one end of the tube well enough.

steve19438 · Jan 4, 2018

i have one somewhere in the groj ???????????????????????????

DoubleR · Jan 4, 2018

I have one of those. Don't use it often but I'm sure glad to have it when I need it. I'm sure I didn't pay much for it, I think I got it at a Flee Market somewhere for a buck or two.

Bob in SD · Jan 4, 2018

Saw these in the tool aisle at Walmart recently. $4.99 comes with a magnetic pickup tool (car antenna style) and a tiny magnetic tray. I grabbed a few for stocking stuffers.

jeffcat · Jan 4, 2018

Those little ball type that l I have used had a glass tube. Just leave it, would be more trouble than it is worth.

aFORDable · Jan 4, 2018

I have a lost a few of those tubes in radiators over the years on different tractors. Never had a problem related to the tube in the radiator. I wouldn't worry about it.

Major problem

Graveyard1984

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Janicholson

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Graveyard1984

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cjunrau

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Bruce from Can.

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MarkB_MI

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Stephen Newell

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used red MN

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Steve@Advance

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Dieseltech

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steve19438

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DoubleR

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Bob in SD

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jeffcat

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aFORDable

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