How do I know what radiator cap to buy?

Most caps are designed from 4psi (30kPa) to 30psi (205kPa), with the higher ratings typically found in performance or industrial applications. When choosing a radiator cap, it’s important you stick with the specified pressure for your system, as each additional pound above this increases the boiling point by 1.4°C.

What PSI radiator cap should I use?

16 PSI
Most radiator pressure caps keep the system pressure at 16 PSI so the engine coolant can get considerably hotter without the fear that it will boil off. If there is no pressure in the cooling system, the coolant will boil off.

Can I use a higher psi radiator cap?

If your current cooling system is running well and doesn’t overheat, a high-pressure cap is unnecessary. It won’t hurt anything.

What is a standard radiator cap size?

How to Choose the Correct Radiator Cap

FILLER NECK WIDTH (outer dimension)	FILLER NECK DEPTH	OVERALL HEIGHT
32mm (inner dimension)	16 mm	.96”
32mm (inner dimension)	16 mm	0.96″
2.2″	.75”	1”
2.2″	.75”	1”

What are the signs of a bad radiator cap?

Leaking Coolant.
White Streaks on Radiator.
Overflowing Reservoir.
Radiator Hose Collapses.
Radiator Hose Bursts.
Overheated Engine.
Air Inside the Cooling System.

How many types of radiator caps are there?

there are four different types of cap: With lower seal only, with free-hanging vent valve (Partial-pressure, open system) With lower and upper seals, with free-hanging vent valve (Partial-pressure, coolant recovery system) With lower seal only, with spring-loaded vent valve (Full-pressure, open system)

How many psi is a 1.1 radiator cap?

All modern automotive cooling systems are under pressure, completely regulated by the radiator cap. 1.1 bar is roughly 15psi, and 1.3 bar is around 18psi.

What happens if radiator cap pressure is too low?

When the pressure gets too low, it causes a vacuum effect which collapses one or more hoses. Overpressurization can also cause cracks in the line. When inspecting the cooling system, check that no hoses are hard or feel spongy.

How many PSI is a 1.1 radiator cap?

What happens if radiator cap pressure is too high?

High-Pressure Radiator Cap Unchecked high pressure could cause damage to the radiator, heater core, hoses or water pump seal. The pressure cap also prevents radiator hoses and tanks from collapsing. As the engine cools it causes a vacuum in the cooling system.

What is a 1.1 radiator cap?

A standard 1.1 bar cap adds 48 degrees to the boiling point of either fluid. So the coolant in your car will not actually boil until ~260 degrees, or ~271 degrees if it has antifreeze mixed in. Adding the additional 0.2 bar of pressure gives us another 8.7 degrees in both cases.

What happens if you use the wrong radiator cap?

When your radiator cap does not seal properly, air could make its way inside of the cooling system. This will cause air pockets to get inside of the heater core, thermostat, and radiator hoses. As a result, the engine will start to overheat because it cannot sustain a temperature that is consistent.