The cap doesnt look right and the metal inside of the cap is sticking out..my car is not leaking or anything but it just overheats
2007-03-10 04:57:37 · 19 answers · asked by IC4NDY_ 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The radiator cap has a psi rating on it. It is designed to be air tight and allow a pressure build up in the radiator. Thats why you don't remove a radiator cap when the car is hot, because the hot steam/fluid will shoot out. Kind of like opening a shooken up 2 liter bottle of soda. With that said, I'm not sure if that can actually cause the car to overheat or not, but could. Guess you won't know until you break down and spend the 7.00 to replace it.
The other likely thing to cause the car to overheat is a bad thermostat. If you follow the upper radiator hose to where it goes into the engine block (at top of car) then thats where the thermostat is. The hose ends into a metal housing thats screwed on with 2 bolts onto the block. The thermostat is revealed when you take the 2 bolts off. Here is a way to test for a bad thermostat (this isn't the official way to do it, but has always worked for me). Once the car is at operating temperature, grab and slightly squeeze the upper radiator hose. It should be hot to the touch. You should not be able to squeeze/hold it for more than 2 seconds. Also while you are holding it, you should be able to hear/feel the water running through it. If the hose it not hot and is very comfortable for you to hold on to it, then that means the thermostat is stuck close and not allowing water to circulate (thus not passing through the radiator, thus not cooling). If thats the case, then replace it. It's fairly simple. Take the two bolts off and the thermostat will be able to just simply lifted out. Make sure you get a tube of ATV sealant (ask auto store clerk) to put a thin layer of sealant on the gasket before you screw the two bolts, on the housing cover, back on.
2007-03-10 05:09:32 · answer #1 · answered by SharpGuy 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Causes Of Car Overheating
2016-12-12 17:07:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cap can be a source of overheating, the cap regulates the expansion of the coolant by way of a pring loaded plunger that seals the radiator opening, when the temperature pressure exceeds the spring rate, the plunger backs off and allows some coolant into the expansion tank.
If the cap is faulty, air can lean into the system, creating hot spots in your engine. This also keeps the cooling system from siphoning coolant back into the radiator to keep things air pocket free. Over time this will add up to missing coolant, you could also make your water pump fail prematurely, or even blow a Cylinder head gasket.
$16 compared to $1200? You decide.
2007-03-10 05:05:27 · answer #3 · answered by tito_swave 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Car Overheating Causes
2016-09-29 09:54:44 · answer #4 · answered by garbaez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Can a broken radiator cap be the cause of the car overheating..?
The cap doesnt look right and the metal inside of the cap is sticking out..my car is not leaking or anything but it just overheats
2015-08-07 16:45:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your Question says that you are able to "run the car with the heater on for the past few weeks!". It is a clear indication that your cooling fan behind the radiator is not at all functioning. You may try this simple test: Run the car engine in idle for a few minutes until the dash temperature gauge touches the hot red Zone.Observe for the auto start of the radiator fan. If it is not, the problem is mostly with the faulty Thermostatic switch mounted near the bottom of the radiator . Try by temporarily shorting the therm switch teminals by a fuse wire. Otherwise the fan motor may be faulty. I don't believe in giving a long check list for a DIY job.
2016-03-17 06:17:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely! A radiator cap is designed to keep the entire cooling system under pressure. Just like your mothers' pressure cooker, the pressure allows liquids to reach temperatures far above boiling, without actually boiling.
If your is not leaking or venting, however, then the cap is not the problem. Make certain that you have coolant in the radiator and overflow tank.
2007-03-10 05:08:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
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Here are some causes of engine overheating: 1. Faulty radiator pressure cap. 2. Defective radiator. 3. Bad thermostat housing gasket. 4. Cracked or deteriorated radiator. 5. Cracked or deteriorated heater hoses. 6. Defective heater core. 7. Faulty heater water control valve. 8. Defective water pump seal or gasket. 9 . Rusted out core hole plugs. 10. Damaged coolant reserve tank. 11. Bad cylinder head gasket. 12. Cracked cylinder head, manifold or block. 13. Low coolant level. 14. Low coolant protection (low boiling point.) 15.Water used as coolant (low boiling point.) 16.Cooling system capacity inadequate for load being carried or towed. 17. Air trapped in cooling system. 18. Clogged coolant passage in engine block. 19. Excessive use of A/C while vehicle is parked or in stop-and-go traffic. 20. Retarded ignition timing. 21. Sticking manifold heat control valve. 22. Clogged exhaust system. 23. Low engine oil level. 24. Excessive engine friction. 25. Dragging brakes. 26. Missing or broken shroud.
2016-04-07 11:45:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it can. Your cooling system is pressurized, and when the cap isn't sitting right, the pressure isn't right and isn't efficiently cooling down the engine. That's probably why you're overheating. I'd definitely recommend you replace the cap.
2007-03-10 05:06:05 · answer #9 · answered by Brian S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Replace the cap. They don't cost much. The cap keeps pressure in the system and with no pressure, it will overheat.
2007-03-10 05:00:42 · answer #10 · answered by expatmt 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋