Though rarely noticed, your radiator cap
plays a critical role in your vehicle's cooling system. They're inexpensive to
purchase and takes only mere seconds to replace, so there's no reason for you
to not replace a faulty one. Ignoring a radiator cap problem can lead to
overheating and even engine damage, which could possibly end up costing you a
whole lot more.
How radiator caps work
Radiator caps contain a spring-loaded plunger
which maintains the pressure in the cooling system. When pressure becomes too
high, the plunger will divert overflowing coolant to a reservoir. As the engine
cools down, the coolant condenses, which creates a vacuum that allows the
radiator cap to “sip” the antifreeze from the overflow reservoir back into the
cooling system.
Diagnosing a faulty cap
A faulty radiator cap will present a few
common signs that are typically easy to spot. For instance, a cap that is
unable to maintain pressure will allow coolant to boil at normal operating
temperatures. This boiling can be easily heard, and confirmed by looking at the
overflow reservoir. Coolant spilling around the cap is also a common sign.
Replacing a faulty cap
To replace the cap, simply unscrew the old
one and put the new one in. Just make sure that the new cap has the same
pressure rating as the old one, and don't remove the cap until the engine is
completely cool. Otherwise, you risk getting burned by hot coolant as the cooling
system releases pressure.
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