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Metal Coolant Tank Cap?

Old 08-17-2015, 04:58 AM
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Metal Coolant Tank Cap?

Any of you guys have a line on a nice metal coolant recovery tank cap?

Apparently, due to rises and falls in temperature and internal pressure fluctuations, my plastic caps keep failing in that they develop a crack/split.

I've been through three now noting over this past weekend that my newest one has also split.

Has anyone found an alternative to the plastic cap?
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Old 08-17-2015, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Turbobink
Any of you guys have a line on a nice metal coolant recovery tank cap?

Apparently, due to rises and falls in temperature and internal pressure fluctuations, my plastic caps keep failing in that they develop a crack/split.

I've been through three now noting over this past weekend that my newest one has also split.

Has anyone found an alternative to the plastic cap?
The plastic cap has worked fine for your car for over 15 years. Now one after another fails?

You mention temperature and internal pressure. The first thing I would do is replace the radiator cap. The radiator cap is supposed to hold that pressure.



Are you also having
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Old 08-17-2015, 11:38 AM
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The original was split and was replaced along with the whole over-flow tank.

The cap that came along with the replacement over-flow tank split as well ... within about a year as I recall.

Bought another yellow plastic cap to the tune of about $10.00. Not that $10.00 is gonna kill anyone but it's a friggin plastic screw cap for cryin-out-loud.

I think I've gotten about a year outta this newest replacement cap as well.

The radiator cap is new by-the-way.

It's not the cooling system. It's the environment that the cooling system and engine compartment creates and the effect that that environment has on the over-flow tank cap material.
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Old 08-17-2015, 12:45 PM
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I have experienced the problem you are having before. The problem was caused by a blown head gasket. The pressure inside the engine was more than the radiator cap could handle, the pressure went to the expansion tank next.


You could open the radiator cap while the car is cold. Run the car up to temperature, and check for bubbles. A better way is to get your hands on a block test tool. It is designed to check for exhaust gas in coolant.
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Old 08-17-2015, 04:11 PM
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Appreciate the input but my motor's fully in tact.
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