Overheating caused by radiator cap???
 

OK, on my previous post I was talking about my overheating problems at the track..............could this be my problem.............????

My last time at the track, my radiator (not really, I guess it 's more of a thermostat housing/filler neck cap..) cap was spewing, and the rubbing gasket under it was pretty much toast.................so my only choice at that moment was to run to Discount Auto parts, and get what they had so I could limp home...............

My question is...........the old cap was a cap only, not a pressure cap with the spring thing under it...........I figured "no biggie" because all it does it basically seal the neck, right?..........but a buddy of mine suggested that might be the problem.............it should just be a cap, with gasket under it...........not a pressure cap........

What difference could that make, other than it seems that it would prevent the fluid from entering the neck area, since it's sealing off that area...........

Am I on to something here? I sure hope so since this would be an easy fix............I'll run to Mazda and get the right one...............Those bastids at Discount!!! Here it was that this cap came right off their cross reference list...........!!!

Thanks,

David

if there is not an opening(hole drilled into neck just below mounting surface) for the water/steam to escape the "pressure cap" will just operate as a cap(sealing water/steam ). if there is a small tube connected to the neck then the cap will release water/steam when the pressure exceeds the spring pressure. so if there is nowhere for the water go it will work as the original.

Tell your friend to get off the drugs he is on.