I just learned a slow valuable lesson. My Fiero has slowly been losing coolant past two years making me think it was a head gasket issue. Come to to find out the prior owner had a vented cap on the front. I found this out because everytime I would jack up the rear and attempt to add coolant, it would just flood out of the overflow reservoir! GRRR!!
Don't know... Just get a Stant one... See my cave, coolant cap in coolant section.
------------------ 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)
You can check at the store, if the bottom metal disk just hangs there, it is the wrong cap. The correct cap has a spring holding the bottom disk up, pull on the disk, if it snaps back it is good. Usally the bottom is sticking out of the package and you can check. You can also look for a "V" stamped on the top, most vented caps have a V and are the wrong ones.
Once again, it appears suppliers are giving us vented caps when it should be non-vented. So if you've got an overheating Fiero, better recheck those caps!
Response Via Email (Ken) 04/12/2012 08:43 AM Sean, Good question, Murray's Tech department identifies this cap as a new design for GMs and is an Open Vent and draws coolant from the reservoir. As the description states the 7616 meets all OEM specs and is proper for your application. At $4.99 it's a great deal and is available to order Online or purchase at our stores.
Your business is appreciated, visit us again soon.
Sincerely,
Ken O'Reilly Auto Parts Online Customer Service (888)-327- 7153
Oreillys has confirmed their Murray cap is NOT closed vent. So dont buy this!!!
Response Via Email (Ken) 04/12/2012 02:06 PM Sean, I apologize for the application error, we will take action to have it corrected immediately. Thank you for taking the time to bring the error to our attention. Your business is appreciated and we look forward to serving your automotive needs in the future.
Sincerely,
Ken O'Reilly Auto Parts Online Customer Service (888)-327- 7153
Thought you might be interested in this last email from Oreillys.
Response Via Email (Ken) 04/13/2012 11:54 AM Sean, We asked our supplier to verify the correctness of the application of the 7616 Radiator Cap for the Fiero, here is their response:
This is the correct cap for the application. The customer is referring to this cap as an open vent, which is not the best description. Traditionally the return valve (a small metal valve on the bottom of the radiator cap in the center of the rubber seal) has a very weak spring that holds it closed and is then pulled open by the vacuum created when coolant contracts as it cools in the engine, allowing coolant to return from the reservoir. However, the 7616 there is no spring that holds the valve closed. Though it might appear to be open when installed, cooling system pressure, which is always present from heated coolant or a water pump, pushes the return valve completely closed. This is a design by GM to combat weak vacuum pressure at the filler neck, which was not allowing the return valve to open and let coolant return. If a cap with the return valve that has a spring is installed it could result in collapsed hoses and over filling of the reservoir resulting in overflow. Director of Cataloging and Product Information MotoRad/CST
We truly appreciate the product question you brought up. This clarification should help your members fell confident when purchasing the 7616 Murray Radiator Cap for their Fieros.
Thanks again for your expert comment and we hope to be able to fill more of your automotive needs in the future.
Sincerely,
Ken O'Reilly Auto Parts Online Customer Service (888)-327- 7153
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05:29 AM
TopNotch Member
Posts: 3537 From: Lawrenceville, GA USA Registered: Feb 2009
It's good to buy your cap at a store that has them on a peg board, so you can look at it before you buy. You can the pick out the right cap regardless of part number.
