Honda Car Forum

Have a 97 accord with 187K on it - radiator recently started leaking in
the upper seam on the engine side. A local shop replaced the radiator
- took 2 attempts to get one that would hold fluid - but they did not
replace the cap.

Question - do radiator caps as they age ever hold back too much
pressure - got stuck in some heavy traffic when the radiator started
leaking. Wonder if I should replace the cap.

Thanks

spacetrax@wi.rr.com wrote in
news:1116271719.746087.172780@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com:

> Have a 97 accord with 187K on it - radiator recently started leaking in
> the upper seam on the engine side. A local shop replaced the radiator
> - took 2 attempts to get one that would hold fluid - but they did not
> replace the cap.
>
> Question - do radiator caps as they age ever hold back too much
> pressure - got stuck in some heavy traffic when the radiator started
> leaking. Wonder if I should replace the cap.



Rad caps get old and REFUSE to hold pressure, which will cause boiling.

Absolutely, replace the cap. With OEM if you can get it. It's cheap.



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

The aftermarket radiators from some places fit 90-97... and take the 90-93
cap or the 94-97 cap.... you may have to try both. One's big, one's little.

"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in message
news:Xns9658A8CD3474tegger@207.14.113.17...
> spacetrax@wi.rr.com wrote in
> news:1116271719.746087.172780@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com:
>
>> Have a 97 accord with 187K on it - radiator recently started leaking in
>> the upper seam on the engine side. A local shop replaced the radiator
>> - took 2 attempts to get one that would hold fluid - but they did not
>> replace the cap.
>>
>> Question - do radiator caps as they age ever hold back too much
>> pressure - got stuck in some heavy traffic when the radiator started
>> leaking. Wonder if I should replace the cap.
>
>
>
> Rad caps get old and REFUSE to hold pressure, which will cause boiling.
>
> Absolutely, replace the cap. With OEM if you can get it. It's cheap.
>
>
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

I understand the spring can get weak and won't hold pressure - can the
opposite happen and subject the system to too much pressure.

Just curious.

Thanks

"butch burton" <spacetrax@wi.rr.com> wrote in
news:1116282427.434015.193930@g44g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

> I understand the spring can get weak and won't hold pressure - can the
> opposite happen and subject the system to too much pressure.
>
> Just curious.



Guess it could, but personally I've never seen that happen.


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Went back to the garage that replaced the radiator and the guy who owns
the place took a pair of pliers and twisted the drain cock tight and no
leaks. Told me to watch it for leaks. Am buying and carrying a
replacement cock and a gallong of coolant and a gallon of water.

Had this same thing happen on another honda radiator which I replaced -
someone said this is a common problem so watch for leaks around the
drain cock when you have a radiator worked on or replaced.