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| Radiator cap question - not tight enough? (Page 2/2) |
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cebix
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JUN 08, 06:14 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
It's probably crap.
Where's the Stant SuperStat you said you had ordered and installed?
[QUOTE]Originally posted by cebix:
Ordered a SuperStat 45819 again, let's see what it does. Yeah, again from Rockauto. Should be here by Friday...
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[/QUOTE]
That's in the rear under the thermostat cap. Does that relate in any way to my radiator cap in this situation? Thermostat cap is also new AC DELCO now since my Stant cap leaked... AC DELCO has a much wider and thicker gasket from what I noticed. Was a pain to screw on the housing.
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Patrick
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JUN 08, 06:23 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by cebix:
That's in the rear under the thermostat cap.
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Sorry, I'm all messed up here. This is what I get for trying to multitask. 
I don't understand though how you can turn the rad cap past the second stop. Either you've got the strength of ten men, or your rad cap and/or your radiator neck are poorly designed.[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-08-2020).]
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cebix
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JUN 08, 06:25 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Sorry, I'm all messed up here. This is what I get for trying to multitask.
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No worries, I appreciate all the help. So I guess I can bet on the radiator filler neck being crap? Might just fabricate another gasket to seal that up or bend those rad cap ears a little.
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Patrick
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JUN 08, 06:30 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by cebix:
The cap seems kind of loose when installed. I have three different ones and they all do the same thing.
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| quote | Originally posted by cebix:
So I guess I can bet on the radiator filler neck being crap?
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Perhaps the rad cap is to blame? You've said you have three of them.  Are any of them new? If so, what is it exactly? As you've no doubt been made aware of at some point, the rad cap for a Fiero needs to be a non-vented one.
| quote | Originally posted by cebix:
I noticed I have a leak from my radiator cap when the engine is hot. I literally have a small puddle on the ground after the car sits for a few hours after shutdown.
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[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-08-2020).]
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cebix
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JUN 08, 06:42 PM
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Yes, 3 caps. One is old, probably original, one is a motorad safety release and the third one is a Delco. Those two were bought less than a year ago. All 3 were on my original radiator and I don't remember there being a leak from the cap in that original radiator. Unvented caps all 3.
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Patrick
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JUN 08, 06:50 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by cebix:
All 3 were on my original radiator and I don't remember there being a leak from the cap in that original radiator.
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With a new radiator, I believe you should be using a new non-vented cap. The sealing surface for the cap on this aftermarket radiator is no doubt slightly different than on the original factory radiator. The sealing area on all three caps might be "imprinted" with the shape of the old rad.
To tell the truth, upon hearing this revelation, I'm not surprised the caps all leak!
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cebix
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JUN 09, 01:17 AM
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Thanks, that didn't cross my mind. So the 2nd stop thing I deducted wrong anyway. Need a new cap or find a way to seal a used one.
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theogre
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JUN 09, 02:27 AM
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Use Stant Caps.
They made and still make many OEM caps for Ford GM and more.
See my Cave, Radiator Caps
Stant caps are made w/ "The SWIV-EL design allows the cap to be installed and removed much easier than conventional radiator caps." Basically means top will still move while rubber seals won't and you can get a cap on and off.
Stant's LEV-R-VENT™ and related caps are ok but have problems. Lever part leaks if open often. On Fiero (and others) the level may have clearance problems w/ the hood and right hinge area. I stopped use them on anything.
Yes,
Rad Tube has 2 spots for the cap.
The 2nd step w/ final hard stop is Full Close is to operate the system.
The 1st step w/ a small stop is to release pressure when trying to remove it w/o blowing the cap off. This small stop may not work well for several reasons and can turn the cap complete off and have hot coolant burn you.
This 2 step design is way old, like Many Decades at lest, and still used on most car.------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave
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cebix
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JUN 09, 04:06 PM
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Thanks. I guess it's a simple design but problems can arise everywhere and anywhere. I saw some posts on other automotive boards and I see it's common for people to shim radiator caps with rubber gaskets and bend those ears. Especially if something like an aftermarket radiator or cap comes into play.
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