| Author |
Message |
Dr. I. M. Ibrahim (Coachi)
Member
Username: Coachi
Post Number: 257
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 10:47 am: | |
mostly probably, this is a cap problem. I had that problem. Went to a local auto store and got a 18 # cap...works great |
Paul DeVivo (Pdevivo)
New member
Username: Pdevivo
Post Number: 21
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 9:25 am: | |
I had an 84 308QV and to bleed the cooling system you had to use the bleed screw on the radiator but there also was another bleed screw on the engine block very close to the theremostat. It might be different on an older model but should be checked. |
Andrew A. Illes (Andyilles)
New member
Username: Andyilles
Post Number: 22
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2003 - 12:35 am: | |
Collin - Yes, it's the expansion tank "cap" they are talking about, and any 18 psi one will work just fine. In another thread, you asked about "bleeding" the system. Now that I know what car you have, the radiator has a small bleed screw on the top right. Open that and fill the expansion tank until no air comes out of the radiator. You may have to do it several times to get all air out.
You don't have to be anal about the "correct" level either, unless it's too low. If there's too much, it will just blow out the overflow. |
Collin Hays (Chaysintexas)
Junior Member
Username: Chaysintexas
Post Number: 102
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2003 - 10:57 pm: | |
Stupid question probably...but you all refer to the "radiator" cap. Are you actually talking about the coolant expansion tank cap???? Just wanted to be sure. |
david handa (Davehanda)
Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 670
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 4:23 pm: | |
The current factory cap is now rated at 1.1 bar, it was previously .9 bar.
1.1 bar = 15.9 psi |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Intermediate Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 1113
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 3:43 pm: | |
Your cap is not the correct one for your car or the spring in it has weakened. You need one that will hold more psi. My car did this once back in 97 when I first got it. I replaced the cap and never had the problem again. It should be 0.9 or 1.1 bar, I can't remember which. I'll look on mine when I get home and tell you. |
Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Member
Username: Tbakowsky
Post Number: 359
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 2:28 pm: | |
12.8 psi basicaly a fiat cap. |
Bill V (Doc)
Member
Username: Doc
Post Number: 300
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 6:50 am: | |
What is the proper pressure rating for theses caps anyway? |
Mike Procopio (Pupz308)
Member
Username: Pupz308
Post Number: 327
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 11:09 pm: | |
I'll second the experience of having to replace the radiator cap... It's very simple. If the cap doesn't hold pressure, the coolant will expand past the maximum containable volume and will spill out the overflow hose.
Mike |
david handa (Davehanda)
Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 667
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 10:57 pm: | |
Collin,
Have you had the car long? The reason I ask, is that sometimes the car just prefers a slightly lower amount of coolant in the tank. Just let it spit/burp the excess and let it reach it's own equilibrium. If it just started, then you probably need a new cap.
My 328 started doing this, and I found I had overfilled the tank. I took some out, and it still spit some, I just let it, and after a few drives it quit, and has been fine for the past couple months.....and I was ready to go and buy a new cap... |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 523
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 10:30 pm: | |
Collin,
This happens on 308's 328's and Mondials frequently. It is almost always the cap not holding pressure. Ferrari caps are crappy, sometimes bad right out of the box. Go to Nappa or similar, spend $5 and I'll bet your problem disappears.
Dave |
Russ Turner (Snj5)
Junior Member
Username: Snj5
Post Number: 116
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 10:12 pm: | |
When this happened to me I replaced the cap, burped the air bleeds and everything was fine.
Don't neccesarily need a Ferrari cap - check the cap rating and a standard replacement may work fine.
best
rt |
JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 1372
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 10:04 pm: | |
Have you bled your radiator properly lately and put on a new radiator (header tank) cap? |
Collin Hays (Chaysintexas)
Junior Member
Username: Chaysintexas
Post Number: 95
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 9:21 pm: | |
A few additional facts:
1) Replaced coolant a month ago. Measured perfectly (2.38 inches) from expansion tank opening.
2. Now, coolant is at more like 2.55 inches (has lost some).
3. Leak is definitely coming from the "breather pipe" a little rubber hose (Overflow I suppose) that runs from the top of the expansion tank to the bottom of car near the suspension.
Thanks again everyone. |
Collin Hays (Chaysintexas)
Junior Member
Username: Chaysintexas
Post Number: 94
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 9:07 pm: | |
My 308 2V is dumping coolant out of the "breather pipe". Quite a bit actually. Leaving a puddle after I turn the car off, and leaking while the car is running. Yet temp is showing "OK" on my gauge and no warning lights, etc. Could this be the water pump going bad? Something else perhaps??? Thanks everyone!! |