Will this block the coolant flow?

Hi all

300tdi. Any advice most welcome....

I noticed a spot of coolant leaking from the plastic 'plug' on the top of the thermostat housing. As I had a spare handy I decided to replace the plug to stop the leak.

The hex head broke off so I carefully cut away at the plastic left inside. I got most of it out but the last 3mm or so dropped down into the housing. Unfortunately it dropped to the rear meaning it went deep down into the block, rather than sit at the bottom of the thermostat housing. I cant see it or feel it.

It does have a hole in the middle so I guess it can't block any of the waterways completely, but could it cause a problem? What would you do? Forget about it or strip off the thermostat housing to get it out.

I'm off to France on Wednesday so I'd really rather not have to do any work on it but I will if you think its necessary. What would be involved?

Any advice greatfully appreciated

cheers
clive

Personally Id have to get it out.
Couldn't drive around especially on a long journey to France knowing that my landy could
be boiling away, causing its self a whole world of problems.

Thanks for that
I took the thermostat housing off in the end.
I hadn't realised that the bottom two bolts on the housing are in slits rather than holes so you only have to loosen them. It wasn't such a hard job and the bit of plastic was sitting there waiting. I'm glad its out and I will be fitting a brass plug soon. I already have one in the rad.
cheers
Clive