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Long piece of rubber in radiator?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by NicoTacoShop, Jan 16, 2024.

  1. Jan 16, 2024 at 3:58 PM
    #1
    NicoTacoShop

    NicoTacoShop [OP] Member

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    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    1998 2.4l Tacoma SR5 Ext Cab
    A7D86D28-9442-45E3-8D70-0B4B061723AB.jpg Hey all!
    I was flushing my cooling system with distilled water multiple times until it ran clear. On my last cycle I noticed my upper radiator hose twitching and hitting the air box which caused audible thuds. After witnessing this I shut the vehicle off. I proceeded to squeeze the radiator hose to clear potential air bubbles and this piece of rubber floated the the top of radiator port.
    I pulled the rubber out and started the truck again with no issues and the heater blew hot again. Should I be concerned with this piece of chewed up rubber? Only thing I can think of is potential RTV that was used for water pump? I plan to replace radiator, water pump, and hoses soon which is why I was doing a flush.

    51CF2CB2-044E-4D31-B11A-811219E5C7C8.jpg
     
  2. Jan 16, 2024 at 5:22 PM
    #2
    ChargedSHOTaco

    ChargedSHOTaco Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a manufactured piece. Thermostat gasket?
     
  3. Jan 16, 2024 at 6:53 PM
    #3
    NicoTacoShop

    NicoTacoShop [OP] Member

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    1998 2.4l Tacoma SR5 Ext Cab
    Thank you! Didn’t think of that.. possibly from old one.. I’ll take it apart soon and hopefully I find where it came from. My immediate thought was head gasket but that’s metal. My heart sank for a moment lol
     
    ChargedSHOTaco likes this.
  4. Jan 16, 2024 at 6:58 PM
    #4
    Rusty Taco 11

    Rusty Taco 11 Well-Known Member

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    I found something similar in my heater hose when I changed them.
    Was a piece of RTV
    Never noticed any issues from it or after.
     

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