radiator cap

[qship96]

is there any reason to replace the pressure cap on the radiator as a preventative maintenance step? mine is original,with almost 150,000 miles on it?

[QE86]

Well, my Rad cap was broken when I bought the car so I just get a high pressure rad cap (1.3) from Greddy for my car.

I dont know if that will helps/hurts anything....

[DAEDALUS]

Best to stick to factory cap ratings. Go lower and you change the boiling point. Go higher and you risk rupturing something that was designed for a lower pressure. Not uncommon to swap a radiator cap for a higher-pressure one and then a month later find a puddle of coolant under the car or under the glovebox.

Caps can be tested and visually inspected, though for what they cost probably not worth the time.

[PalmerWMD]

is there any reason to replace the pressure cap on the radiator as a preventative maintenance step? mine is original,with almost 150,000 miles on it?

they are so cheap why not.

I found once a leak that I eventually tracked down to a cap.

Fred..

[qship96]

thanks for the replies,I kinda figured the spring mechanism would weaken and change values like a thermostat over time,replacement it is!

[Q45tech]

Q OEM cap is 0.9bar or 13.25 psi as oppossed to many which are 14.7 psi or higher.No place for a high pressure cap on an aluminum engine, bad idea.

[natsoundup]

funny...I have replaced the one cap twice on the 90. However, the other one under the plastic ornamentation and actually attached to the radiator is original...it's only been off a couple of times.

This weekend I detected a small leak coming from the plastic petcock...tightened it..and it appears ok... my guess is the o-ring is going...

[Q45tech]

I drain my rad twice per year [to adjust the % of AF] replace with either 4 quarts of 100% RED AF [Nov1] or 4 quarts of distilled water + RLWW [April1] that way 35-40% new additives at least once per year. All drains and both the filler cap and the overflow cap get exercised and examined..........takes an extra 10 minutes when you do an oil change.

Every 3 years it gets the full block drain, flush and thermostat and 3 hose changes with new drive belts ~~ 45k.

At every fill up 1-2 times per week it gets a underhood look see and overflow bottle level check.........and examination of all easy fluids.

Can't be too careful when you drive a 15 year old car that you want to last another 30,000 miles to 300k.

[louiegz]

Can't be too careful when you drive a 15 year old car that you want to last another 30,000 miles to 300k.

So Dennis, are you changeing cars a 300k? I find that hard to believe. What car would you replace your Q with if your Q dies?