Dropped Nut Landed Inside Fan Clutch Pulley

FML, changing thermostat and my finger slipped on the nut closest to the engine block as I tried to thread it on. The nut slid down over the rounded edge of the Thermostat Housing and through the little gap.

Looked 10 minutes trying to find before realizing it slid into the tiny gap between the Fan Clutch Pulley and engine block, and now it's sitting inside the Fan Clutch Pulley, which is like a hamster wheel. %$#!

And of course my mechanic magnet tool is too large, so I ordered this micro one from Amazon. I hope it works or I'm going to have to take some things apart.

$14 V8 Tools 3826 Mighty Worm 26" Flexible Magnetic Pickup Tool

https://www.amazon.com/V8-Tools-3826-Flexible-Magnetic/dp/B002YKNOLQ/

Fan Clutch Pulley

 

How frustrating! Good luck with the Amazon magnet!

 

Decided to take everything apart to access the missing nut, and replace the serpentine belt.

Removed the radiator cooling fan shroud (2 bolts on top) and cooling fan (4 nuts on the bolts sticking out of the fan clutch pulley; need two 12mm wrenches).

Radiator cooling fan shroud and the cooling fan need to be lifted out at the same time. Be careful not to bang it into your radiator.

Next I used 14mm socket and breaker bar to de-tension the serpentine belt and remove it. Then removed the fan clutch pulley and found the nut sitting on one of the fins of the waterpump.

Never would have reached that with a magnetic tool. Of all the places for the nut to land. FFS

Inside of fan clutch pulley was dirty af. Thick dirt build up. Cleaned it off and it looks like new. Sprayed air all around the pulleys and idlers to remove dirt and debris. Then put on a new serpentine belt from Bando.

https://www.bandousa.com/automotive-belts

• Bando Serpentine Belt
• 7PK2120

Fairly certain they make OEM for Toyota, along with a couple other companies. If you use parts finder on Bando's website, this is the belt for 4th gen 4Runner 1GR-FE V6 engine. But on Amazon, if you search same part number, it says it does not fit the V6. I trust the Bando site and it fits and works well.

Also ordered these push clips for the radiator shroud which is the big plastic piece that lays on flat to cover the radiator. Held on by 10 clips and I was missing 5 of them, and broke a few getting the others out. Toyota part number for the push clips is 90467-08217.

$7 9046708217 Radiator Cover Clips Nylon Bumper Fastener Rivet Clips Auto Body Clips Retainer Clips Replacement for Toyota Lexus GX470 Toyota 4Runner FJ Cruiser Tacoma Replace 90467-08217 (20Pcs)

https://www.amazon.com/Anxingo-Radiator-Fastener-Retainer-90467-08217/dp/B07HGYPVKT/

The missing nut I dropped while installing a new thermostat.

 

At least you took the time to take it apart and remove the nut. Lots of mechanics would've just replaced the nut and left the lost one in there.

 

Had to. My brain could not compute leaving a random nut in the engine bay.

I imagine the nut bouncing around while the fan is spinning would cause damage to something.

 

There’s a 10mm socket in my dash somewhere. I look and poke around with the magnetic wand every time I take the dash apart. No luck.

 

I lost a washer behind the A-piller garnish. Then another one. About six months later they found their way onto the floor, a couple weeks apart. I understand the OP needing to be certain of getting it. I'd hate for the fan to throw a nut through the radiator when I'm miles from help.

 

God forbid a few pebbles entered the engine bay of your off-road vehicle

 

We were testing equipment on a National Guard range once when one the junior guys got a little rock to the radiator while idling at a fixed location. His rental agreement didn't authorize him to be off-road. We brought in 20 gallons of water and walked along with the vehicle, pouring in water every couple hundred yards for a mile and a half to the gate by the highway where he could get towed.

That reminds me - there was a mystery after I finished my oil change. At first I couldn't figure out why there was a pile of fine gravel under the front end after I was done. Oh, right, it must have come out when I dropped the skid plate. I pulled a bunch of dead leaves from around the radiator while I was under there.

 

I remember years ago dropping a socket down into front coil spring on suspension.....about a month later a customer came into shop with a rattle in front.....I got my socket back and customer loved us....we fixed his rattle and it didn't cost him anything!

 

Sometimes it isn’t just pebbles, but no rattles with this stuff.

 

Radiator shroud question on my gen 2. Installed a new radiator and upper shroud .Then realized that there is also a much smaller and skinnier piece called the lower shroud. Everything fits together nicely but neither the lower and upper shroud came with any hardware and there clearly needs to be some sort of clip that holds the ends of the lower to the upper. Anyone have a pic of what these look like?