What should the pressure be on a radiator cap?
Each radiator cap is rated for a certain amount of pressure it can hold (e.g. 0.9 bar, 13 PSI, etc). Different cooling systems call for different pressures.
How can I test for a bad radiator cap?
Alternatively, you can use the OEMTOOLS 27065 Radiator and Cap Test Kit to test for pressure faults and leaks from your radiator cap. To use this device, you need to turn off your car and wait for at least 30 minutes before you remove your radiator cap. Connect the pressure gauge or tester to the cap adapter and screw it tight.
What does it mean when your Radiator Cap is loose?
The loose coolant radiator cap should release small amounts of steam and bubbles to indicate that the radiator coolant is under the recommended pressure. Failure to release steam means that the radiator cap is faulty and has a pressure leak.
What does a spring loaded radiator cap do?
To avoid overpressurizing, which can damage components of the system, a spring-loaded valve on the radiator cap vents excess coolant into the expansion tank (also known as reservoir). Under lower pressure, the cap draws the coolant back into the cooling system.
How does a radiator cap work on an engine?
The primary and known function of a radiator cap of an engine is to cover the radiator so that anything can not come out from the heater. It keeps the cooling system of an engine covered or sealed from the contaminants of outside. The next task is to raise the boiling point of the coolant.
What should the pressure radiator cap rating be?
Remember, none of the above running temperatures have anything to do with the cap rating. They are simply conditions of the cooling systems capability, the ambient air temperature, and air flow. Often customers will report their system boiling over at temperatures of 220 or lower and as explained above this isn’t possible.
What are the symptoms of a bad radiator cap?
The radiator cap ensures that this pressure remains constant. There are several symptoms of a bad radiator cap like leaking coolant, the appearance of white streaks, and hose bursts caused by coolant pressure fluctuations. Excessive pressure causes cooling system component failure while less pressure could lead to the liquid coolant boiling off.
What to do if your Radiator Cap is leaking?
In case you notice that your radiator cap is leaking because it cannot seal properly you can use a tablespoon or two of black pepper as a temporary radiator cap fix to make the coolant course enough not to leak. However, you will need to rush to a repair shop to replace the cap. Here are the steps to replace a faulty radiator cap.