Check Your Radiator Caps Now! | FerrariChat

Check Your Radiator Caps Now!

Discussion in '308/328' started by Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Mar 16, 2015.

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  1. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    May 4, 2001
    36,599
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    Tommy
    #1 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Mar 16, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    In another thread we were talking about a busted radiator cap and I thought I would take a look at mine after Rifledriver recommended the Stant 10331 and reminded us the stock ones are ****.

    Wow. Is that a DATE on it? Nov 1996???

    Note the crack too. I am not aware of any particular issue with my car's cooling system at the moment - other than it is a QV and has the usual occasional cooling issues that some QV's have from time to time.

    (The oil temp is another issue. It has been wanting to peg out on a 20 minute drive on an 80 degree day even with normal water temps for the past two years. Changing the sending unit and swapping the gauge didn't help. Haven't figured this out yet but I am about to believe it is electrical and nothing really is wrong. And no, there is nothing blocking the air flow to the oil radiator. I even have a puller fan on it. Any suggestions would be appreciated before I buy a new oil radiator.)

    There are about 4 other cracks in it. Our local Advance Auto Parts carries the Stant 10331 and after tax it was less than 8 bucks.

    The summer is coming and this is a no-brainer, 8 dollar, 5 second project guys. Replace that factory cap with one that will work. If you love the looks of the factory one, keep it in the trunk for car shows only. Drive with the Stant.
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  2. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Doc, what's the pressure of the Stant 10331?
     
  3. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    16 lbs
     
  4. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Thanks Doc, 16lbs should be perfect, that's like equivalent to 1.1bar
     
  5. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    One of the very first problems I had with my car, probably just a month after I bought it was a radiator cap failure. I remember it was a stock 0.9 bar. It is hard to imagine that this it the cap I replaced it with 18 years ago.
     
  6. shmark

    shmark F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
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    Timely. My cap just failed, and when I noticed the small leak I figured I'd better check the tank too. A full pressure test later and the tank is perfect, so it's good to know exactly what the problem is. No date on mine, might be original.
     
  7. gcmerak

    gcmerak Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2008
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    If your water temp tops out at the prescribed level and the cooling fan/s kick in to maintain that level, but your oil temp still keeps rising, then I would suggest having the oil cooler vated for possible internal corrosion/obstruction.

    Just Sayin!

    Ciao,
    George
     
  8. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Good boy.


    What did I tell you Doc?
     
  9. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
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    Is this the one with the lever on top?
     
  10. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    Funny, my new-to-me 308 came with that cap. The OEM-spec cap isn't up to the job.

    I have a new one -- will tuck away in case someone wants to do the concours thing at some point.
     
  11. 308inSD

    308inSD F1 Veteran
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    Aug 17, 2010
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    I'm very interested in the answer to this one. On a warm day I often experience an oil temp that is indicated 110-120C while the water temp is perfect at 90C. And I don't think it's a gauge/sender issue. I would have thought that at steady state (long drive) the temps would more-or-less match.
     
  12. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    Apr 13, 2004
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    Kzoo Michigan
    I replaced a cracked one back in 2011, I checked it this year cracked.
    No where near as old as yours.

    Screw car shows people are not looking that close. Get a part that works and doesn't cause overheating issue and then blown head gaskets and more work on your car. I got mine for less than 7 bucks.
     
  13. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    yep

    two thumbs up as usual
     
  14. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Something is just not right with mine. I have had to pull off the highway and let it cool down when I was just driving 60-80 for 30 minutes on a 75 degree day. The needle will be half way across the gauge 10 minutes after I pull out of the driveway when it's in the 50's outside.

    Water temps don't reflect a problem there. My next project was to pull the oil radiator but I would rather KNOW that's the issue (somehow) before I just throw money at a $$ part.
     
  15. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
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    yes
     
  16. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

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    Thanks doc.
     
  17. stonker

    stonker Formula Junior

    Jul 14, 2012
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    Thanks for the advice. Just ordered one on Ebay. Will take a few weeks to get here but better safe than sorry.
     
  18. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    No deduction for aftermarket cap.

    It is considered a consumable and as such any correct replacement is OK.
     
  19. Dino944

    Dino944 Formula 3

    Aug 11, 2007
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    Would you recommend the same Stant 10331 for 328s also? Thanks.
     
  20. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    It is all I install.
     
  21. 76Steel

    76Steel Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2007
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    Guys,

    Is this cap also good for a '76 308 as well?
     
  22. Dino944

    Dino944 Formula 3

    Aug 11, 2007
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    Thank you. Cheers!
     
  23. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    Jun 25, 2003
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    Looks complicated. You may have to fly up here and install one for me. Alaska Airlines departs San Antonio every evening at 6:30.

    Thanks for the info on the proper cap.
     
  24. Owens84QV

    Owens84QV F1 Rookie

    Oct 2, 2001
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    Haven't inspected mine lately, but to be safe, I just ordered the same Stant.
     
  25. Milkshaker0007

    Milkshaker0007 Formula Junior

    Sep 22, 2012
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    Is it ok for a 328? Also
     

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