Radiator Cap Stuck - Suggestions
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Radiator Cap Stuck - Suggestions
I changed out two heater hoses yesterday and recovered the coolant. My radiator cap has decided to be difficult. It is VERY hard to turn and I can't depress it once I've turned it counterclockwise to the detent. I have about 3 quarts that needs to go back in. I'm afraid I'll break the radiator neck if I use too much pressure. It is a 1989 with HD cooling system. (whatever that is) Any suggestions?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 3
If you are worried that it would damage the radiator neck - i would just cut it off with a cutoff wheel - being carefull not to damage the radiator - then replace it with a new cap after you look at and resolve why it was so damned cantankerous in the first place!
carl Johansson
carl Johansson
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Is there any chance the hose &/or hose clamp for the overflow
tank is on the nipple far enough to be projecting under the lip
of the radiator cap?
The diameter of the hose can be large enough to prevent the
cap from depressing far enough for the safety tangs to clear
the mating components on the rad filler neck.
.
tank is on the nipple far enough to be projecting under the lip
of the radiator cap?
The diameter of the hose can be large enough to prevent the
cap from depressing far enough for the safety tangs to clear
the mating components on the rad filler neck.
.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Is there any chance the hose &/or hose clamp for the overflow
tank is on the nipple far enough to be projecting under the lip
of the radiator cap?
The diameter of the hose can be large enough to prevent the
cap from depressing far enough for the safety tangs to clear
the mating components on the rad filler neck.
.
tank is on the nipple far enough to be projecting under the lip
of the radiator cap?
The diameter of the hose can be large enough to prevent the
cap from depressing far enough for the safety tangs to clear
the mating components on the rad filler neck.
.
It almost feels like the cap was forced on so their is a false groove cut in the neck. This car is new to me so I hadn't removed the cap before. I went ahead and turned on the heater and refilled through the recovery tank. It took two warm ups and shut downs, but the coolant level light is out and I got all the recovered coolant back in. Thanks for the input I'll try again later.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Thanks for asking. No, I guess I'm going to have to cut off eventually. I'm 6' 5" 240 pounds and can palm a basketball in both hands, and I can't even turn it all the way to the detent with leather gloves on! I guess a gorilla stripped it on.
