If you are driving down the raod and your rad pops a leak, simply loosen the cap so the system isnt pressurized and this should slow the leak enough to get it to a gas station, reapir shop, or off the interstate.

 

I have a special anti-pressurization cap just because I got sick of exploding radiators

I get bubbles in the coolant especially when cold, but there are no HC's in the bubbles (a Block Test comes up negative) so it's probably the water pump gasket sucking air. Have seen that one a few times on other cars. With the anti-pressurization cap the air just goes immediately out to the reservoir without the radiator having to build pressure first.

 

but umm you drive down the road only way to tell you popped a leak is probaly the temp gauge or the low coolent level by this time it should be pretty hot and if you opened that cap damn thats some 3rd deg burns right there

 

I always carry 2 gallons of water with me just in case. So if the temps go up, I pull off to the side of the road and if there is a leak wait for it to cool down, fill back up and keep he cap loose and try and make it to a gas station.

 

I still have the scars on my shoulder from a radiator popping and spraying me with superheated steam when the coolant flash-boiled.

Another reason why I run a zero-pressure cap...

 

I could post a pic of my arm when It happened to me, but I cant find the cable to my phone. I had skin hanging from my arm about 12in long and 6in down.

 

I've never been scalded *that* badly... only about as badly as a decent sunburn.

The part that sucks is, it never happens close to a source of water, so the fresh burns (ok, scalds) get to marinate in antifreeze until you can rinse off. Had to wait a half hour the time that got my shoulder, that really had me pissed. Plus I got some in my *beard* and my *moustache*, which immediately began to itch heavily...

 

lol i really thought i should post a saftey side for any noobs to cars.

i have been lucky a few times its just a warning
ounce a cap blew off just passed my face it was never to be found lol

 

People new to working on cars, in my experience, are overly cautious.

It's once you get comfortable that you slack off and get hurt. Just like new drivers never grind gears when shifting, but give them a few years and they grind a pound every now and then...

And after a while, it becomes kinda like the Lord's Prayer. You have caution for the things that can *really* hurt you (like working under floorjacks, or engines hanging from hoists, or torches), a laissez-faire attitude towards the things that are merely annoying (minor burns from hot things, hitting the back of your hand with a 3lb hammer, etc), and the wisdom to know the difference.

 

I made the mistake of leaning over my 2nd gen with the fill cap off and reving the engine while it was operating temp. Hot coolant geysered out and scalded my arm. On the 2nd gens, the coolant fill is above the thermostat neck not on the rad. Not a happy camper gettting burned and being stupid at the same time.

 

well just the other day when i checkd my cat
my trolly jack kinda failed lucky i had stands but it nearly slipped off those
holly **** there would off been two new holes to fix

ya can never be to carfull

 

Lets just say, Ill never get pissed at a hot running car, and take off the cap again. The thing is I let it bleed off at least 3min so I didnt think it would gyser like it did. I opened it real slow and it was ok for a sec, then blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa all over my left side. Forearm got it the worst.

 

My experience would lead me to the same conclusion. However, there are also the people that have to actually get hurt or "experience" the results of their actions before they realize not to do it anymore. I have plenty of good stories to that effect.

My best friend was (is) this way, he wanted to do a complete oil and filter change. Unfortunately he told me to get our drinks, and he would get started. He took my advice and jammed a screwdriver into the filter, without draining the hot, and still slightly pressurized oil..... I got some laughs out of it, he didnt think it was as funny....

Same friend was installing a new throttle body and was getting ready to re-route a coolant line that ran through the factory TB. Well I had, almost exactly as before, went inside to get some food. I thought he was coming as well so we could pass the time while the car cooled off. Needless to say he got a hot spray of coolant, and then had an allergic reaction to it..... off to the hospital we went....

He still isnt very car oriented, he likes to do things by himself, and since he doesnt understand the nature of the engines sub-systems. He ends up hurting himself, but he does serve as great entertainment.....

 

Very similar to the FD setup, but I think the FD is slightly worse. I never got burned, but would have. However, when I started it with the cap off, I got the geyser and shut it down, lol. I had to rethink that idea.

 

Where do you get zero pressure caps? Just cut the spring off a stock one?

I usually run Stant Lever-Vent type caps where I can let the pressure out to the resivour with a little red plastic lever.

 

the fb has a resivor like a hose goin from the radiator filler neck to the little bottle tank wouldnt that let the pressure off if you open the cap on it? or is it just for when you over fill with the radiator cap off

 

Its a burp bottle. Water gets hot, and instead of it burping onto the groung it goes into that tank. and when it starts to cool off the coolant is pulled back into the system.

 

nice

 

I took the inner rubber seal out of a standard one. To further buff that turd, I cut a couple V-notches out of the spring loaded foot with some sidecutters.

I don't like the idea of just breaking the spring, because if there's a small leak, a vacuum theoretically could still pull air in through the leak instead of pulling coolant in from the overflow reservoir.

 

Honestly, I've never had an overheating problem however, I was taught that if one were to experience overheating or were to work on the coolant system, let that engine cool down AND squeeze the top radiator hose to make sure there is no pressure. Because after that lesson came a helpful tidbit: "If you don't, there is enough pressure in that system to shoot that radiator cap off and nearly kill you." And was given a story how one kid did not wait, went to turn the cap, someone called him for something, he turned his head, and pow. Radiator cap blew right off and took his ear off.

 

you can always squeeze the top radiator hose if you think your system is still hot. if she's still too warm the hose should be fairly stiff, when it cools down the pressure drops. easy way to check before you get a healthy blast in the face with blistering steam!!!!

 

Worthless post for post count.

I hear boiled ears are chewy, kinda like calamari.

 

*L* That's disgusting.....

 

i remove my rad cap all the time when its hot, i just wear mechanics gloves, cover the cap with a towel and slowely let the pressure release. this is at mostly normal operating temps though, and i have one of those caps with the latch so you can lift it up and it wont actually release any liquid, just air...

 

Things are slow tonight. I've seen you post *L*, and a couple of other letters. What does it mean, don't know these?