radiator cap problems

[harry3]

despite not driving far, Ive had 2 radiator caps that have allowed some water to leak out both after only 3 years

this isnt good, especially with the VL steam trap problem, both were CPC, dont know what went wrong but I suspect the pressure spring weakened

am now trying a tridon brand cap but they dont put the pressure on their caps, the wrong pressure cap could cause problems too.

there is a cap pressure testing machine and I suppose we should get out caps tested

 

[TWOJZ]

gotta love threads like this that seem to have no point, and no question! haha

I bought a new radiator cap for my VL, and somehow lost about half a litre of coolant, so, I put the old, rather original cap back on...

 

[starfire vc]

my vl still has the original cap..works like any other quallity piece of g,m componentery

 

[VL Berlina 5speed]

despite not driving far, Ive had 2 radiator caps that have allowed some water to leak out both after only 3 years

this isnt good, especially with the VL steam trap problem, both were CPC, dont know what went wrong but I suspect the pressure spring weakened

am now trying a tridon brand cap but they dont put the pressure on their caps, the wrong pressure cap could cause problems too.

there is a cap pressure testing machine and I suppose we should get out caps tested

Harry if you question the pressure rating or quality of the aftermarket stuff try the genuine cap, if you cant get it from a dealer ebay have them

 

[TWOJZ]

my vl still has the original cap..works like any other quallity piece of g,m componentery

i have to assume, based on that description, that it doesn't work.

 

[harry3]

if the radiator cap isnt holding the correct pressure a water loss from the overflow pipe will happen on a long fast drive but not when driving around locally, how often do we look at the temp gauge?

eventually when the water loss is noted, refilling may result in a steam trap, you would need to undo the 2 bleeder bolts and force water in thru the radiator cap hole to see how fast it comes out to know whether you had the makings of a steam trap and a cracked cylinder head