You’re most likely to find collapsed radiator hose connected to the expansion tank. However, when a defective radiator cap cannot can’t regulate the pressure caused by the temperature changes during the engine’s normal cooling process, the hoses can collapse due to excessive internal suction. Radiator hoses operate under a vacuum as they help push the coolant through the system. Radiator Hoses Appear CollapsedĪ collapsed radiator hose is a conspicuous indication of a malfunctioning radiator cap. It’s most likely to happen during summer stop-and-go traffic or when you’re driving on the highway with a tailwind. In a scenario like this, the engine might not be running hot, and suddenly the heat starts to spark. Sometimes this can mean something as simple as the radiator cap not having a good seal, which allows air to make its way into the system, creating small pockets that prevent the proper circulation of coolant, which can lead to engine overheating. The longer your engine is allowed to run hot or at risk of overheating, the more likely you will suffer problems with spark plugs and head gaskets and the very real risk of cracking the cylinder head. This will lead to the engine running hotter and hotter to the point of overheating. A Bad Radiator Cap Can Cause The Engine To OverheatĪs more and more coolant leaks from the system due to a bad radiator cap, the engine will have an increasingly harder time staying within the safe operating temperature. You’ll then notice drops of coolant left behind when you park your hot car. Once it finds a weak point or two, the hot coolant starts to seep out. This can lead to various problems, including leaks, overheating, and damage to the engine.Īs it superheats, the coolant starts to push its way through the areas around the radiator cap or anywhere else that it can find a way for the pressure to escape, such as gaskets and hoses. If the valve in the radiator cap is faulty or malfunctions, it can cause pressure to build up within the radiator when the engine is hot. The radiator cap ensures that the coolant stays where it belongs inside the engine and the cooling system. So, you must check the coolant level for reference only once the engine has completely cooled down. Leaking Coolant & Low Coolant LevelsĪ bad radiator cap will often start to show a problem with seemingly minor coolant leaks and gradually decreasing coolant levels.Ĭoolant leaks caused by a bad radiator cap can sometimes be hard to spot at first, as the level often changes with the engine temperature. Watch out for the following signs that may suggest a malfunctioning radiator cap: 1. Signs of a bad radiator cap can often start out subtle but increase quickly as the coolant level in the system starts to change. If a radiator cap is faulty and cannot manage pressure fluctuations in a well-functioning engine, it could lead to problems such as coolant leaks, engine overheating, and additional mechanical failures. 5 Tell-Tale Signs of a Bad Radiator CapĪ bad radiator cap may display noticeable signs, such as visible cracks, a worn rubber seal, corrosion on metallic components, or a weak or broken spring. This allows the coolant to flow through the engine, the heater core, and other components to help keep the engine within its normal safe operating temperature. When you start the car again, and the engine starts to produce heat, the coolant fluid expands, and the air is pushed out. All without bringing in airborne debris, which could foul the system. Once you turn the engine off, the volume of fluid contracts significantly, and the radiator cap allows air to be drawn in to balance out the pressure. This allows the volume within the coolant system to change as the car’s engine heats and cools. What Does A Radiator Cap Do?Ī radiator cap has a built-in return valve that allows air from the surrounding environment and coolant from an expansion tank. Knowing how to diagnose the bad radiator cap problem, eliminate other potential causes, and how to replace it properly the first time will go a long way toward preventing more severe damage to your engine. If you’ve noticed your car runs hotter than usual, coolant drips in the engine bay or beneath your vehicle, or some of your hoses look strange, you may have a faulty radiator cap that requires replacement. It prevents pressure-related damage from affecting the various hoses, radiators, and other critical components as the system heats and cools.Ī bad radiator cap that fails to manage the pressure changes of a normal engine operating properly can lead to issues like coolant lakes, overheating problems, and various other mechanical failures. The radiator cap is engineered to regulate the pressure inside your car’s coolant system. Your car’s radiator cap is one of those things that’s very easy to ignore right up until it has a problem.
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