Coolant Cap
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 48
From: NJ
Coolant Cap
How often should you replace the coolant cap? I recently read where it should be replaced at least every 2 years. Still have the original one on my '95 Impala. Am i missing something??
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 52
From: Houston, TX
Re: Coolant Cap (LIGHTNING)
Where did you read that?? I have never seen a post about replacing this, and there are a lot of '97 C5 owners on the forum, whose caps would be the first to go bad.
I would think that as long as your engine isn't overheating, the reservoir still holds pressure and the rubber seal is sealing, the cap is good to go.
I would think that as long as your engine isn't overheating, the reservoir still holds pressure and the rubber seal is sealing, the cap is good to go.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Stockbridge GA
Re: Coolant Cap (LIGHTNING)
Though not a C5, my wifes previous car, a Jeep Cherokee had chronic boil over problems. I was convinced the cause was a blown head gasket as the thermostat, water pump and radiator were all replaced. Still it overheated. :banghead:
Long agonizing, expensive story short...
The stinkin' plastic coolant reservoir cap was leaking pressure. Modern cooling systems must be pressureized to circulate properly. Otherwise air locks cannot be removed from the system and it will overheat.
The reason replacing the tops (radiator and reservoir) are recommended is to eliminate the possibility of pressure leaks.
The final fix for the Jeep was a $3 plastic reservoir cap, which I had previously inspected and just knew it was fine...:rolleyes:
Famous last words.
Long agonizing, expensive story short...
The stinkin' plastic coolant reservoir cap was leaking pressure. Modern cooling systems must be pressureized to circulate properly. Otherwise air locks cannot be removed from the system and it will overheat.
The reason replacing the tops (radiator and reservoir) are recommended is to eliminate the possibility of pressure leaks.
The final fix for the Jeep was a $3 plastic reservoir cap, which I had previously inspected and just knew it was fine...:rolleyes:
Famous last words.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 48
From: NJ
Re: Coolant Cap (TexasRedZ06)
Read it in a few general maintenance schedule sheets & it was advised in a tech column...can't recall which magazine...may have been the NCOA Newsletter.
Where did you read that?? I have never seen a post about replacing this, and there are a lot of '97 C5 owners on the forum, whose caps would be the first to go bad.
I would think that as long as your engine isn't overheating, the reservoir still holds pressure and the rubber seal is sealing, the cap is good to go.
I would think that as long as your engine isn't overheating, the reservoir still holds pressure and the rubber seal is sealing, the cap is good to go.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Re: Coolant Cap (LIGHTNING)
I had to have my cap replaced after almost 2 years due to the cap not breaking vacuum properly after the engine cooled down. I had noticed my coolant hose was sucked almost flat.
[Modified by JC in XTC5, 11:24 AM 6/23/2003]
[Modified by JC in XTC5, 11:24 AM 6/23/2003]
