My 59 fuelie does not appear to be overheating - except if I am idling for a long time on a hot day. The temperature gauge typically varies between 175 and 190 degrees. However I am starting to get some coolant being puked out from under the radiator cap - in addition to some out of the overflow hose. I had a Dewitt's aluminum radiator installed and purchased a new cap (AC 549-7#, RC-1) from Paragon about 2 years ago. Do I need a new cap and what is recommended for use on my aluminum radiator? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks. - Kevin
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Re: C-1 Radiator cap
First, most any garage mechanic can test your rad cap for you by mounting it on a Stant tester and pumping up the pressure.
Second, sometimes you can trap particulate matter in the cap's gasket allowing it not to fully seal against the rad inlet. When the engine is cold, pull the cap and eyeball the seal + the gasket.
If you've undergone 3-4 engine shutdown cycles, your cooling system should have expelled all the excess coolant it needs to provide the appropriate expansion space. Further loss of coolant typically points to either the engine overheating or there being a seal failure with the system not holding pressure. Typical pressure leak culprits are: rad cap, hose lines, hose clamps....
The mechanic can also check this with the Stant pressure tool. He mounts it in place of the rad cap and watches the tool's pressure guage as the engine comes up to operating temperature... -
Re: C-1 Radiator cap
Thanks Jack. As I mentioned, I don't think the engine is overheating - at least according to the temp gauge. And the slight puking of coolant from under the cap is a relatively new occurance after a few months of driving the car. I replaced the overflow hose as it had a small slit in it from being pinched by the hood or something like that. I also purchased a new radiator cap for an aluminum radiator and noticed that it had an additional rubber gasket where the cap meets the top of the inlet - versus the copper gasket on the old one. I will also try pursuing those pressure leak diagnoses you suggested. Regards, - KevinComment
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