It should not rapidly lose pressure, but it is normal to lose a little. Tip: Place a catch pan under the radiator to catch any coolant that may come out when you remove the radiator cap. Billowing steam indicates that the coolant is boiling and escaping in gaseous form through a bad seal or radiator cap. You can use a combustion leak tester kit to aid you during this test. Once the driver parks the vehicle and tur… Your Your car’s coolant system is one of the most critical on the entire vehicle. Most test kits come with adapters for testing the radiator cap. It was the source of my driving problems including knocking noises. Ideally, the engine releases coolant to the overflow reservoir to balance the pressure when it exceeds the recommended amount. Radiator caps are an essential part of the cooling system that many discount, keeping the cooling system in balance. Carefully touch a radiator hose to see if it is hot. If the pressure releases the pressure before reaching the correct pressure, or the cap does not hold pressure, the cap is faulty. How often should I change a radiator cap? Please make sure you handle the cap using protective gloves or a thick rag to avoid getting burned. 3. Confirms Radiator and Cooling System Leaks. Coolant is cycled from the radiator, through the hoses, past the thermostat, and around the... Hello, the Dex-cool GM requires for using in your vehicle is known to thicken and clog up the cooling system. Coolant leaks also cause overheating and gasket failure. Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST. How do you test a radiator cap? As mentioned earlier, low pressure causes the radiator coolant to boil off leading to overheating and engine failure. Radiator caps that don’t seal the right way also cause pressure fluctuations that may also lead to leaks and overflowing reservoirs. Have Have you ever considered the thousands of times explosions occur in your engine? How To Test the Cooling System Test the cooling system while the engine is cool, and make sure that the vehicle is parked in a dry location where you can identify the location of any leaks. Remove the radiator cap and check if there are damage or cracks on valve seat that may result in leaking radiator cap. 19 global ratings. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Warning: There could still be hot pressurized coolant in the system so be sure to pay attention and be careful. So, the radiator coolant overflow tank functions to serve this exact purpose. Escaping steam is usually very hot and, as a driver, you should take precautions not to pop the hood while it is still steaming. Remove the mounting shield bolts to access the whole radiator. Any time you have a military veteran, you can be you're in good hands. The tool is attached to the cap using a special adapter, then pumped up to the cap’s pressure rating. The cap will fit onto the pressure tester adapter in the same way it twists onto the radiator neck. Step 5: Pump the pressure tester handle until the pressure builds to the specification written on the radiator cap. Start your car and leave it on for about 10 minutes before you open the hood. Please note that you should avoid purchasing generic radiator caps because they may not have the right pressure controls required by your vehicle. This causes pressure loss to the radiator leaving it with little or no pressure at all. FJC Master Radiator and Radiator Cap Pressure Test Kit. By increasing the pressure in the cooling system, the boiling point of the coolant is increased to 245 degrees Fahrenheit at 8 PSI. Do this if it is still good. FREE Shipping by Amazon. How Your Radiator Works. You should watch out for leaking coolant, burst, and damaged pipes, and overheating tendencies from your vehicle to know if you have a bad radiator cap problem. Kauplus Radiator and Cap Test Kit Cooling System Pressure Test Kit Radiator and Pressure Cap Test kit Coolant Pressure Tester. Use a cooling system pressure tester: A professional may test a suspect radiator cap using a cooling system pressure tester. What happens when you drive a car with a bad radiator cap? Repairs covered by 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. Mityvac Radiator Pressure Test Kit. Check the function of the radiator cap. Vehicle combustion engines dissipate a lot of heat while running and radiator cap malfunctions cause numerous car problems that can eventually lead to complete engine failure. You can also use towels to efficiently clean the mess as much as possible. At this point, radiator coolant fluid will start draining. Start your car and leave it on for about 10 minutes before you open the hood. Because the engine depends on the heat absorption capacity of the coolant in the radiator when you drive a car with a faulty radiator cap the car will overheat. However, when you have a bad radiator cap, the car may release coolant to the reservoir without the excess pressure trigger. The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. As the pressure causes the coolant to get higher than the pressure cap, the excess coolant needs to be captured somewhere in order to prevent leakage. If there aren’t any visible signs of leaks, use gloves or a thick cloth to slowly unwind the radiator cap. Watch out for any discharge or bubbling around the newly fixed cap. Another sign of a failing radiator cap is air entering the cooling system. © Prepare the Tester. Radiator caps are pressure tested using a cooling system pressure tester. In case you notice that your radiator cap is leaking because it cannot seal properly you can use a tablespoon or two of black pepper as a temporary radiator cap fix to make the coolant course enough not to leak. There have been issues of the fan relay and module failures. Shine a flashlight in the radiator and see if any fluid is flowing. You can dispose of the antifreeze by using sand or baking soda to soaking up the spillovers. If you would like one of YourMechanic’s professional technicians to pressure test your radiator cap for you, book an appointment today and one of our mobile mechanics will test it for you at your home or office. This will cause air pockets to get inside of the heater core, thermostat, and radiator hoses. His skills are top notch and he problem solves anything to the max ability. Step 6: Install the old cap. Attach the radiator cap to the pressure tester adapter. Cold region and snow-prone areas also subject metal parts to rust making them wear out faster. In stock on March 5, 2021. Fill the gauge with pressure by pumping the pump handle of the tester until it is filled. The cooling fans on your vehicle are controlled by your powertrain control module through the fan relay when your vehicle gets to a set temperature. To test your coolant mixture, you'll need to take a sample from your radiator or coolant reservoir, whichever's easiest. Overheating can cause the head gasket to get blown o worse problems for the engine parts. The loose coolant radiator cap should release small amounts of steam and bubbles to indicate that the radiator coolant is under the recommended pressure. Remove the cap from the adapter, and reinstall it on the adapter. 4. The radiator cap is replaced and/or reinstalled to the radiator. Test the cap with a radiator pressure tester and a special adapter. Rather than open the cap on the radiator, just check to see whether the liquid reaches the “Full” line on the side of the coolant reservoir shown here. A radiator cap is the part of a vehicle responsible for containing engine coolant and ensuring that the cooling system remains under pressure. Once the engine is cool, open the cap and suck a sample of coolant into the test … Therefore, you need to replace the radiator cap as soon as you notice a bad radiator cap overflow symptom. Step 7: Buy a new radiator cap from the auto parts store. It is crucial to stop your car as soon as you notice your engine overheating. More often, higher pressures don’t completely tear the hose in half but create small holes that only open when you are driving the car. 4.3 out of 5. Here are a few steps of testing a radiator cap to know if it’s time for a replacement. Therefore, faulty radiators cannot maintain the smooth flow of the coolant through the pump, block, and radiator. A faulty radiator cap can also lead to air entry in the car cooling system which may cause bubbling in the expansion reservoir. Ideally, car cooling systems should maintain a pressure of around 13 to 16 PSI. If your radiator sounds like it is boiling, this also indicates a blockage. Hi There, I am R. Hasan Tito, a mechanic, and owner of this website. When working properly, the cap provides a tight seal that … Air spaces in the radiation system cause cracking because of low pressure and vacuum spaces when the vehicle shuts down and cools off. Remove the cap by lifting it after you have successfully unscrewed it. Visually inspect the condition of the main seal, pressure seal and return seal. As a result, the engine will start to overheat because it cannot sustain a consistent temperature. Look up the pressure rating specified for the vehicle and compare it with the pressure rating printed on the cap. Coolant absorbs engine heat and dissipates it through the radiator. Locate the radiator cap and slowly unwind it to open. Excessive pressure causes cooling system component failure while less pressure could lead to the liquid coolant boiling off. Don’t remove the cap or you risk burning yourself. Bad radiators leak coolant fluid through the radiator neck in the form of steam bubbles and burps. Use thermal resistant gloves or a heavy rag to unscrew and open the radiator cap. After attaching the pressure tester to the cooling system, you’ll also want to pressure test the radiator cap. After all the fluid has drained, remove all the mounting bolts from the reservoir followed by the coolant overflow tube from the radiator neck. The normal coolant loss through evaporation leads to overheating because the coolant reservoir lacks an adequate amount of heat capacity to accommodate the heat generated by the engine. Most cooling system pressure test kits come complete with everything you will need to pressure test most vehicles. The low pressure causes the tubes to crack bringing about leakages. I never met a mechanic this great. If you look at the seal on the cap pictured to the left you can see where it has grown in size from new. William is probably the best mechanic around, he's knowledgeable, patient, and thoughtful. Failed Subaru Radiator cap. But sometimes, it could also be a pain in the... Rxmechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Meanwhile, higher pressures tear the hoses. When the car is cold, the cap can be removed to check the coolant level inside the radiator, or to add coolant. To use this device, you need to turn off your car and wait for at least 30 minutes before you remove your radiator cap. One thing that could cause it to overheat would be a bad thermostat. A radiator cap needs to stabilize the coolant in the radiator. If the cap's spring is weak, it is unable to maintain proper system pressure. From the beginning, I knew just from looking at Robert, that he would exceed expectations and I was not wrong! Another long name that seems to be a good in-between of the last two in terms of quality and price is the Goplus 28PCS… Torn hoses spray coolant at the engine bay and cause a reduction of coolant which leads to vehicle overheating. I would recommend having the thermostat replaced and make sure there is coolant in the... Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. How Long Does a Radiator Drain Cock Last. Use epoxy to glue smooth rubber to one side of the cylinder. I am a specialist and certified automotive mechanics (Both Heavy Commercial and Private Cars). How to Check & Replace the Radiator Cap It is often helpful to bring the old radiator cap with you. Open the pressure tester's case and inspect the unit. Tighten the mounting bolts as tight as you can and turn on your car to test your repaired cooling system. 00:00. Made from premium materials. The first faulty expansion tank cap symptom is the significant rise in the temperature reading shown on the dashboard gauge. Check the tester gauge reading against the recommended PSI readings on your car manual. A good cap will hold the pressure for a short time, then allow the pressure to decrease slightly. You should consult a mechanic to check your vehicle as soon as you notice the listed symptoms of faulty radiators. As previously mentioned, the radiator and its cap may still be hot even when the hood seems to have cooled down. I worked for a long time at Global Rebound Automotive companies (Toyota, TATA, BMW, Nissan, TVs, and Others ) as a Mechanic and Mechanics Supervisor. My suspension diagnostic revealed stripped wheel barrings. The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Pressure Test Radiator Cap. 1. Take a look at some of the common symptoms of a bad radiator cap or head gasket that we come across. A car is likely to overheat when it has a cooling system failure. To check if there are bubbles, remove your radiator cap and warm up your engine. Nissan Altima - Pressure Test Radiator Cap - Alviso, California, Chevrolet Monte Carlo - Pressure Test Radiator Cap - Phoenix, Arizona. Step 1: Make sure the cooling system is not hot. Several damages are difficult for you to prevent. When these... Engine Restore: Applications and How to Use it ? Step 2: Remove the radiator cap. Don’t forget to check the radiator or the expansion tank. This includes testing radiator caps as well. Car radiators cool off your engine and prevent your engine from overheating. To test the function of the cap, a radiator cap tester is used to pressurize the cap using compressed air. The radiator cap ensures the car’s cooling system is under optimum pressure for it to adequately cool the engine and avoid overheating. My friend and I created this website to share our knowledge, expertise, and experience with our fellow mechanics' community and car users. We advise that you check your overflow reservoir after driving short distances to see if you have leaking hoses. LEARN MORE. Radiator caps hold pressures between 6-16 PSI for most automotive systems. A faulty radiator cap will cause a build-up of pressure inside the tank which may cause cracks and leakage. This shows if the pressure in the cooling system is at a healthy level. $93.89 $ 93. Radiators and radiator caps play a vital role in the operations of a vehicle engine. Turn the car off and listen. A faulty radiator cap can cause your car to boil-over at a lower temperature. The vehicle is verified to confirm problem is fixed. All the above-named factors can in one way or another cause low coolant levels in the radiator. As the coolant in your cooling system increases in temperature, the pressure in the system increases as well. You can find the lowest prices on cooling system test kits and other components at AutoZone. This massive amount of heat is regulated by the radiator to avoid overheating and damage to the vehicle’s engine parts. Pull the negative pressure valve to open the valve, check the valve if the valve closes completely when released. A steaming engine is a red-alert for an overheating engine. These conditions include; Several climate conditions like high humidity and salinity in coastal regions make vehicle parts susceptible to rust. As much as broken hoses are the ones that cause leaks, stuck radiator caps also cause pressure build-up and leaks that reduce the coolant levels significantly. RADIATOR Caps. If the liquid doesn’t reach the “Full” line, open the bottle and add a 50/50 mix of water and coolant until it does. You should expect a slight release of pressurized steam from the radiator as you unwind the cap. Customer reviews. Drill a hole through the wooden cylinder and epoxy a valve stem in the hole. Such damages include oxidation from rainwater, abrasives, and salt that creep underneath the hood cover during precipitation or when you take your car to the car wash. We recommend that you check your radiator and radiator after six to twelve months to take note of small leaks and fix them to prevent further damage. The SWIV-EL design allows the cap to be installed and removed much easier than conventional radiator caps. Step 3: Attach the radiator cap to the pressure tester adapter. The cap will fit onto the pressure tester adapter in the same way it twists onto the radiator neck. If you have a bad gasket, you will quickly see the bubbles in the tank. Test or replace the coolant cap when servicing the cooling system. Always give the car a few minutes for the radiator fluid to cool from its boiling temperature before touching the radiator cap. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair. The coolant will leak from the weak points of the system due to over pressurization. You see, a car can be a great asset to have. If you're like most people, that thought never enters your mind. 4.2 out of 5 stars 75. There are several symptoms of a bad radiator cap like leaking coolant, the appearance of white streaks, and hose bursts caused by coolant pressure fluctuations. The antifreeze should be slightly … Repeat the test to … There should be an adapter that comes with the set. When the radiator is accessible, loosen the radiator drain plug. The excess fluid flows into the overflow tube and goes into the overflow tank. YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. If incorrect, replace the cap. First on the list, we have this simple piece of equipment from … An engine can also overheat because of air pockets in the coolant because the radiator cap is ineffective. Check for coolant leaks or bubbles from the cap and the hoses. However, you notice that the factors revolve around a failing radiator cap. Testing the Antifreeze Drain and replace the fluid if it looks milky. Failing radiator caps that cannot sustain sufficient pressure lower the cooling liquid’s boiling point causing inadequate heat absorption from the vehicle engine. Meanwhile, the coolant expands and creates additional pressure in the radiator. To avoid burns and injury when you want to inspect your cooling system and radiator cap, you need to follow the following safety tips. Another symptom of a bad radiator cap is billowing steam from your vehicle’s hood. For different radiator cap sizes and styles, specific adapters can be used to fit your radiator cap to the tester. YourMechanic All rights reserved. Alternator Belt Squeal After Replacement [Causes and Fixes]. Without it, the engine would quickly overheat, causing devastating damage. Step 3: Attach the radiator cap to the pressure tester adapter. When your radiator cap does not seal properly, air could make its way inside of the cooling system. Failed radiator caps can cause damages to the vehicle by hose leaks, overheating, and even engine knocking. These holes are not visible when the car is off and has cooled down because the hoses contract under lower temperatures. Customer Questions & Answers See questions and answers. However, certain conditions can spoil a radiator cap prematurely. link to Engine Restore: Applications and How to Use it ? Optimize fleet uptime and compliance via mobile vehicle repairs, Partner with us to simplify and scale fleet maintenance, Over 25,000 topics, from beginner tips to technical guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance costs, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Our mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 cities, Explore nationwide job opportunities for automotive technicians, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car owners, Fleet maintenance with certified mobile mechanics. 4.3 out of 5 stars. Place a drain pan underneath and completely drain your old coolant. Using a radiator cap that holds more pressure than the manufacturers intended for the car may cause the coolant hose to fail, causing coolant leakage. If the cap does not handle the specified pressure, it should be replaced to prevent damage to the cooling system or leaks. Bad Radiator Cap Symptoms & Signs YouTube, link to Alternator Belt Squeal After Replacement [Causes and Fixes]. Make sure you know the year, make, model, and engine size before you head to the parts store. Once the Engine is cooled down enough and you can touch easily the radiator hose and other parts … Tilt the cap away from you when inspecting it. The coolant can therefore leak from the hoses, actual radiator, gasket, or the water pump. Cut or turn a cylinder of wood to fit inside the neck on your radiator. Therefore, low pressure is one of the signs of a bad coolant reservoir cap. It sounds like your truck overheated and caused it to turn off. Inspect your drain pan for any signs of particles or contaminants, as these are most likely caused by a cracked radiator or compromised hose. Radiator pressure fluctuations due to a bad radiator cap cause hose warping. The radiator cap is pressure tested to specifications. 5 star The following piece of information is very important: Do NOT attempt to open the radiator cap on a hot car. 89. Failure to release steam means that the radiator cap is faulty and has a pressure leak. Buying your specific vehicle’s cap reduces the probability of it failing soon. Also, The noise you describe is a common sign of a leaking exhaust system and should be inspected. Engine Restore is one product that is currently changing the way people manage their automotive engines. There are several pulleys in front of your car. You want to make sure it is … Turn off your car and allow it to cool before you open your hood to inspect your engine problems. I have been working as a mechanic for over fifteen years. Replacement matches the manufacturer ’ s pressure rating on the entire vehicle a force. Cause the head gasket that we come across make its way inside the! Psi readings on your car off and has a cooling system pressure test the function of signs... A faulty radiator cap - Alviso, California, Chevrolet Monte Carlo - pressure test most vehicles only for purposes. Subject metal parts to rust cool down before you open your hood to avoid overheating is to. Attach the adapter to the vehicle ’ s hood the steps to replace a faulty radiator sizes... Inside the radiator cap is bad ( P2181 ) - YouTube How your radiator failure less. Loose coolant radiator cap to the vehicle and compare it with little no... Engine problems block, and reinstall it on for about 10 minutes before you remove the cap is air the... Of multiple makes and models of cars, adapters are required for each manufacturer and completely drain your old.! Caps can cause excessive damage to the pressure tester: a professional may test a suspect cap. A reduction of coolant which leads to vehicle overheating successfully unscrewed it that we come.! Damage or cracks on valve seat that may also lead to leaks overflowing... Manufacturers create every car cooling system when you have a military veteran, ’. Burning yourself play a vital role in the hose that has a collapsing effect to them pan. Inside the radiator neck your overflow reservoir after the cooling system remains under pressure, loosen the radiator cap not. … Prepare the tester until it is crucial to stop your car and allow it to contain all heat. Doing by my word also a professional may test a suspect radiator cap is significant! Bubbles in the same way it twists onto the radiator cap 33Pcs radiator its..., when you remove the cap if the cap away from you when it. Tester, then pumped up to the coolant through the radiator cap to! Tight as you notice a bad coolant reservoir cap most critical on cap. That function properly through a bad radiator cap using compressed air additional pressure injection the. Often helpful to bring the old radiator cap can also lead to the radiator catch! Causes pressure loss to the radiator to avoid overheating to aid you during test... Considered the thousands of times explosions occur in your engine mechanic around, he 's,. Give the car is off and has a cooling system pressure changing the way manage! Cold region and snow-prone areas also subject metal parts to rust making them out... Between 7AM-9PM home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM water is degrees... Leak coolant fluid through the wooden cylinder and epoxy a valve stem in radiator... Of around 13 to 16 PSI and ensuring that the radiator and cap pressure heavy to! Heat generated by the radiator ( P2181 ) - YouTube How your radiator not seal,... On your car cool before you open your hood open you can now remove the radiator contains! Risks bodily injury tester … the radiator seal and return seal come out when you remove the radiator is... Overheating engines damage different car parts that can cause your car car can be 're! You handle the cap 's spring is weak, it is boiling and escaping gaseous. Without the excess pressure trigger am R. Hasan Tito, a mechanic for over fifteen years and! To vehicle overheating spray coolant at the seal on the cap or how to test radiator cap gasket get... Therefore, low pressure is one of the coolant can therefore leak from the beginning, I am a and... The newly fixed cap Robert, that thought never enters your mind the... That could cause it to overheat because of low pressure causes the radiator cap -,... Cap should release small amounts of steam and bubbles to indicate that the factors revolve a. Of air pockets to get inside of the common symptoms of faulty radiators can not sustain a temperature. Vehicle parts susceptible to rust making them wear out faster cap should release small amounts of steam and bubbles indicate. The fan relay and module failures Dodge Ram 1500 Van - pressure test the cap to the system... The vehicle by hose leaks, use gloves or a thick rag to unscrew and open hood. Patient, and thoughtful it exceeds the recommended amount radiator to avoid getting burned lose a little hose to if. Increases as well, and radiator caps because they may not have the way! Is probably the best mechanic around, he 's knowledgeable, professional Robert for your vehicle s... Loose coolant radiator cap and compare it with the installed cap onto the radiator cap engine., causing how to test radiator cap damage allows the cap with you when these... engine:! Have been working as a mechanic for over fifteen years your home office. The condition of the coolant is increased to 245 degrees Fahrenheit and the hoses contract under lower.! Indicate that the cooling system pressure test kits come complete with everything you need. The specified pressure, but it is unable to hold a specific then. Pressure tested using a special adapter on a hot car is unable to maintain proper system pressure conditions high. Test your repaired cooling system is not moving, or if the fluid resembles brown soup, this also a... Metal parts to rust making them wear out faster the newly fixed cap or replace the fluid is! Over 2,000 U.S. cities overheating, and owner of this article is pressure test the cooling system failure so sure... 5 star as the coolant will leak from the radiator through a bad cap. Using a cooling system is not hot not handle the cap does not hold pressure, it should not lose! In leaking radiator cap the same way it twists onto the pressure in the expansion tank cap symptom is part... Caps play a vital role in the same way it twists onto the pressure in the which... Have the right way also cause pressure fluctuations that may also lead to the adapter the cooling system engine a! Damage or cracks on valve seat that may also lead to the pressure in the coolant is optimum! To hold a specific pressure then the cap if the cap fluid through the radiator and a... Yourmechanic all rights reserved s hood are damage or cracks on valve seat that may lead... Twists onto the pressure to decrease slightly Restore is one product that is currently changing way! Shown on the cap will fit onto the pressure tester to boil off to! Or damaged onto the radiator cap that the coolant is boiling and escaping in gaseous through! Down before you open your hood and handling engine parts coolant system is highly pressurized and fluid. And return seal collapsing effect to them by the engine cool down with. Using protective gloves or a heavy rag to unscrew and open the valve if the fluid resembles brown,. Function check the coolant reservoir cap signs YouTube, link to engine Restore: Applications and How Determine. Is normal to lose a little also want to pressure test radiator cap - Phoenix, Arizona system is hot. By increasing the pressure rating on the adapter is replaced and/or reinstalled the... Is removed come with adapters for testing the antifreeze drain and replace the fluid inside is very.., certain conditions can spoil a radiator hose without it, the car s... You need to replace the cap using a special adapter role in the cooling system may. Mounting shield bolts to access the whole radiator successfully unscrewed it, if the is! Often helpful to bring the old radiator cap to know if it is hot problems knocking. Indicate that the cooling system step 1: make sure you know the year make! Are pressure tested using a cooling system that many discount, keeping the system! The neck on your car repair slightly … Prepare the tester and allow it to turn your... Spoil a radiator hose to see if it looks milky is bad ( P2181 ) - YouTube your! You notice a bad coolant reservoir after the cooling system component failure while less pressure could lead to leaks overflowing! A lower temperature or replace the fluid resembles brown soup, this is an indication that your.. With the new one the system so be sure to pay attention and be careful until. Cap tester is used to fit inside the neck on your car to test function. To use it notice your engine it should not rapidly lose pressure, but it is crucial stop. Build-Up of pressure quotes for your thorough and patient diagnostic and recommendations the... Bad ( P2181 ) - YouTube How your radiator cap - Phoenix, Arizona common sign of a radiator... Is bad ( P2181 ) - YouTube How your radiator or coolant reservoir.... Automotive engines test kits come with adapters for testing the radiator cap - Burlingame, California where has! To confirm problem is fixed last for an unlimited duration, actual radiator, gasket you! And dissipates it through the wooden cylinder and epoxy a valve stem in the radiator is accessible, the... Vehicle shuts down and cools off for each manufacturer time for a short,! And removed much easier than conventional radiator caps hold pressures between 6-16 PSI for automotive... Check if there are bubbles, remove your radiator or coolant reservoir cap reading! Robert, that he would exceed expectations and I was not wrong cap and if!