Check Your Radiator Caps Now!

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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Doc, what's the pressure of the Stant 10331?

 

16 lbs

 

Thanks Doc, 16lbs should be perfect, that's like equivalent to 1.1bar

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Good boy.


What did I tell you Doc?

 

Is this the one with the lever on top?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

yep

two thumbs up as usual

 

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.

 

yes

 

Thanks doc.

 

Thanks for the advice. Just ordered one on Ebay. Will take a few weeks to get here but better safe than sorry.

 

No deduction for aftermarket cap.

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

 

Would you recommend the same Stant 10331 for 328s also? Thanks.

 

It is all I install.

 

Guys,

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

 

Thank you. Cheers!

 

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.

 

Haven't inspected mine lately, but to be safe, I just ordered the same Stant.

 

Is it ok for a 328? Also