Five Common Signs Of A Faulty Radiator Cap

A radiator cap is designed to regulate the maximum pressure, preventing any damage to the radiator and hoses. When the car engine turns off, the system cools off, and in return, the hoses allow air to escape to the overflow. In short, it serves as a pressure relief valve. Like other car components, the problem also occurs with the radiator cap. In that case, you end up buying a radiator cap online to replace the faulty one. Below are the common signs of a faulty radiator cap.  

Leaking coolant

If the radiator cap has some issues, the fluid will not release, which will ultimately cause pressure to develop inside the radiator, causing the hose to break or crack. If you notice coolant around the radiator, then the faulty radiator and radiator cap could be a reason behind it.

Radiator hose collapses

If you have a bad radiator cap, the pressure will not release from the radiator, which means the radiator hose can be collapsed anytime at the time of the cooling down process. In that case, you need to inspect the radiator cap to see if there is any damage. If yes, replace the radiator cap with the new one.

Overheated engine

A leaky coolant issue occurs when the engine overheats, while the faulty radiator cap leads to coolant leaks. So, if you notice the car engine overheats excessively, there could be a faulty radiator cap. However, there could be other reasons behind the overheated engine. So, when the car engine overheats, turn off your car engine, allow it to cool down, and check whether the radiator cap is faulty or there are other issues with the car engine.

Air entering the cooling system

The air tends to enter inside the radiator when the radiator cap is not properly sealed. As a result, they can cause the engine to overheat as it cannot sustain a constant temperature. So, if you see the air entering the coolant system while inspecting the car, seal the radiator cap properly. If it does not seal properly, replace the cap with the new one.

Overflowing reservoir

When the radiator cap is faulty, it is released by the pressure, and the coolant is diverted toward the overflowing tank. The bad cap releases too quickly and causes the reservoir to overflow and expand. In such a case, you need to replace the radiator cap with the sturdy one.

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