| Author |
Message |
Mark (Markg)
Junior Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 235
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 10:19 am: | |
Mine has dumped twice, both times in Las Vegas stop and go traffic @ 105+ temp outside; my cap is (was) Stant 12lbs - should be 16lb cap - so I got an OEM one for about $23.00. Don't anticipate any more problems... |
Eamon A Blaney (Eamon)
New member
Username: Eamon
Post Number: 30
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 5:49 am: | |
I had a mojor problem with my 3.2 dumping coolant until I replaced the rad cap with one sourced from the local Alfa Romeo dealer (PN 60561208) it cost $16.50 and it has solved the problem. Lets face it, Ferrari as a very small producer has always sourced as many parts as possible from suppliers to major manufactures or more specificaly the FIAT group of companies. Therefore my first stop when I need ANY part is my local FIAT/Alfa Romeo dealer (Sweeney & Forte, Dublin, Ireland). As a bonus these guys are nearly always Ferrari mad and will do anything to help. |
Bill Sebestyen (Bill308)
Member
Username: Bill308
Post Number: 333
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 9:03 pm: | |
If your cooling system is in decent shape, 16 psi should not be a problem. If you have a leak at 16 psi, that you didn't at 12.5 psi, you've just discovered a problem waiting to happen, imho. I'm running a 16 psi cap on my 78 308, and never had a problem. I then replaced all the hoses and discovered that the ones I took off were in terrible shape. The only time I had a problem, was when I forgot to put hose clamps on one of the rubber unions connecting the aluminum tube running across the V in the block to the thermostat housing. I did get leakage here but it took me about three weeks to discover the source! There was still about 1/4 inch of hose on the thermostat housing that under all conditions was leak free except after getting the engine good an hot during the post run soak back condition. The only reason it didn't blow off entirely, was becase the opposite end of the aluminum tube had a 90 degree bend and was butted up against another part of the engine. |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Junior Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 218
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 5:38 pm: | |
The only difference between OEM caps and part store caps is that the part store caps actually work.
Dave |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Junior Member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 216
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 5:23 pm: | |
1.1 bar is what I run on my turbo....boost, not radiator cap. |
Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Member
Username: 91tr
Post Number: 994
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 2:18 pm: | |
1 bar = 14.5 psi, so 1.1 bar is about 16 psi |
Mark (Markg)
Junior Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 233
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 1:32 pm: | |
I show the 1.1 BAR cap for 308 equals about 15 psi...does this sound right? |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Junior Member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 213
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 12:07 pm: | |
A week or so ago there was talk on this list about a cap upgrade with a higher pressure rating. You might do a search on this list. |
Fred (Iluv4res)
Junior Member
Username: Iluv4res
Post Number: 68
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 12:02 pm: | |
If you use a cap that doesn't have the correct pressure, you run the risk of hoses breaking/leaking and/or damage to other items (water pump, radiator).
The cap has the spring on it to release excess pressure if necessary. Adding pressure is like blowing up a baloon, too much pressure and stuff can pop. |
Mike 308 (Concorde)
New member
Username: Concorde
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 11:49 am: | |
What would happen if you used a 16 lb cap on a system that calls for a 12.5 lb cap? |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Junior Member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 210
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 11:16 am: | |
Probably not. I use Mercedes caps on Porsches. The Mercedes cap costs less. A pressure rating is a pressure rating. It lifts at the designated pressure and lets the coolant out the drain tube.
I wouldn't waste my money if the alternate one fits. |
Mark (Markg)
Junior Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 232
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 11:12 am: | |
Is there really a difference between the $30.00 OEM caps and local auto-parts store $8.00 caps if the preasure is the same, or is there a critical design difference between OEM and say Stant? |