What temperature can you open coolant cap?
Your friend is not correct about the air and overheat. He is right not to open the radiator cap while the coolant is hot. You should never open the radiator cap while the engine and coolant are hot. Radiators are under pressure and coolant temperatures can and do exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
What happens when you change the cap on a radiator?
If so, then replace the cap. Coolant goes into the reservoir tank as it expands. The radiator cap is released by the pressure and the coolant is sent toward the overflow tank. If you have a bad radiator cap, the coolant will get released too quickly and cause the reservoir to boil over.
What happens when a radiator coolant tank overflows?
The coolant will then contract instead of expand; resulting in the volume of the coolant decreasing. This is kind of like a vacuum effect where the pressure decrease allows the excess coolant in the overflow tank to flow back out of it, so it can return to the radiator. Here are four of the most common signs of a bad radiator overflow tank.
How much does a new radiator coolant tank cost?
Before spending the money on a new overflow tank, make sure the problem is not actually the overflow cap or tubing that comes out of the tank at the bottom as these are common problem areas. They are a lot cheaper to fix than replacing the tank itself. Otherwise, the cost to replace a radiator coolant overflow tank is anywhere from $90 to $260.
Where does the coolant go in a radiator?
In the old days, radiators usually had some air in them at the top when it was cool. Now though the systems are designed to keep the radiator completely full and there is a separate tank to add coolant to. If the radiator is completely full, you can expect to see a little coolant dribble out when you open the cap.
If so, then replace the cap. Coolant goes into the reservoir tank as it expands. The radiator cap is released by the pressure and the coolant is sent toward the overflow tank. If you have a bad radiator cap, the coolant will get released too quickly and cause the reservoir to boil over.
The coolant will then contract instead of expand; resulting in the volume of the coolant decreasing. This is kind of like a vacuum effect where the pressure decrease allows the excess coolant in the overflow tank to flow back out of it, so it can return to the radiator. Here are four of the most common signs of a bad radiator overflow tank.
What to do if your Radiator is leaking coolant?
If you notice coolant fluid near the radiator or the radiator cap, then you clearly have leaky coolant. Check to see if the radiator has holes in it or if the cap looks worn or damaged. If so, then replace the cap.
Before spending the money on a new overflow tank, make sure the problem is not actually the overflow cap or tubing that comes out of the tank at the bottom as these are common problem areas. They are a lot cheaper to fix than replacing the tank itself. Otherwise, the cost to replace a radiator coolant overflow tank is anywhere from $90 to $260.