Well, you know how some people are left with spare parts when they're done doing something on their cars...tonight has proven to be the exact opposite. One of the three bolts that holds the thermostat housing on (the part that you take off to remove the t'stat, not the bigger piece) appears to have sprouted wings and flown away while I was pulling the radiator to flush it out better.

So, can I go to the metric bolt section at OSH and get a bolt that'll properly work, or is there something special about these? I've been looking for that bolt for a couple of hours now (in the engine compartment and all around the driveway), and am at a loss at this point.

Heck, if i can get one at OSH, maybe I'll replace all 3 and go for stainless...

Thanks!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Do they have anything unusual about them .. like a captured washer, larger or smaller head than usual, threaded more or less than standard bolts ? If you match it up for those things you should be just fine...
Don't you have a big magnet for finding flying steel objects ?

Not one this big, unfortunately...

And they appear "normal" offhand, but I'm not all that great at gauging size differences (i.e. if the bolt head is smaller)...so I figured I'd ask to be sure.

I don't know what osh stands for...
but remember that on metric threads it would be best to find a nut which fits your bolt tightly and then take that with you to match up the new bolt with...
I know on VW's that one of the bolts was the same size designation ... like 10m but came in 1 and 1.25 something...and you could not hardly tell just by looking..

Yep...and that's actually the other reason I asked. I've run into that problem before...not on this car, but in the past. I'll probably take a bolt into the store with me and find a nut that fits at the store, 'cause my collection of metric hardware is pathetic to say the least.

BTW, OSH stands for Orchard Supply Hardware...it's a chain of hardware stores, but not as big as the likes of Home Depot...

Warden,

You will likely be better off with the same material and coating. I think MB uses zinc plating on steel. Stainless may cause a galvanic reation between the aluminum of the housing, the iron of the block and stainless material of the fastener. Good luck, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Tim, Go back out there and find the original... it has to be there. This is the kind of exercise which builds character... maybe call your scout troup and assign them this " mission impossible "....

"Tim, Go back out there and find the original... it has to be there"

It HAS to be there? Thats an awful strong statement.... Clearly this is the beginning of an "Engine Compartment Elves" infestation. You know the little buggers that steal miscellaneous bits-n-pieces of important machinery at inopportune times? I have the same problem however it is out of hand and the infestation has spread garage-wide. Suggest leaving random bits and fasteners around that are not related to the project. This will confuse the Elves and foil their plan as they won't know what to steal. This is my excuse for the disaster in my garage/basement. Thats my story and I'm stickin' to it. Yessir, Elves! RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

You only have part time elves... Mine are full time.. 24-7.... ask Randy.... LOL
Yes, that may have been too strong... Tim, If you roll your pants legs up on the outside then check in the cuffs.... I have seen that happen... a nut hit the ground and bounce into the cuff... ( I don't wear my pants that way... just for the record... )

I have wondered how in the heckifer I was so good about loseing bits, pieces, parts and tools. It's the "Engine Compartment Elves" Whewwww... thought it was me all these years. Now explain how they find out where you live everytime you move? Are they the same ones that follow you place to place? Do they use little cell phones to call their cousins that are in the neighborhood of your new home?


Makes since I guess. Santa's elfs gotta have something to do the rest of the year. No?

__________________
"If anyone knows other lessons I need to learn, please tell me. I'm tired of learning them the hard way".
by JerryBro

The Glow Plug Wait: This waiting period is a moment of silence to pay honor to Rudolph Diesel. The longer you own your diesel the more honor you will give him". by SD Blue

My normal daily life; either SNAFUed- Situation Normal... All Fouled Up, or FUBARed- Fouled Up Beyond All Repair

62 UNIMOG Camper w/617 Turbo, 85 300SD daily driver- both powered by blended UCO fuels

Old coffee cans and jelly jars can make your
life alot easier.

Comes with a lid and you can write on it
with permanent marker.

Just a suggestion.


Louis.

I love cans of all kinds.. but I swear my elves are mean enough to break ANY glass containers I try to use... I finally gave up on glass...

Elves?

I thought they were gremlins...

BTW, I got three new metric bolts; assuming they're not too long, I should be good to go.

Always wear shoes when near glass.LOL

Louis.

"Now explain how they find out where you live everytime you move? Are they the same ones that follow you place to place?"

Coachgeo,

Duh!! They are ENGINE compartment elves! They travel with you everywhere you go! Hiding under the hood they keep warm by huddling next to the exhaust manifold in winter and cool by riding out on the front bumper in summer. They keep detailed lists of your PM efforts and if they are the really mean, like when the engine compartment is really dirty, they sabotage parts immediately at the end of their recommended replacement/service life. I have to go now, I need my medication.... RT


ps, entirely different from Santa's Elves. Curious that Santa's sleigh is non-mechanical, eh? Maybe he had a go-around with the engine compartment elves and chose animal power instead?

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K