|
|
Post by emarkay on Sept 21, 2014 14:54:27 GMT -6
Thought is strange it is not. Dealership said it's a return and should not be. That can't be correct - there is pressure in the entire system when hot, correct? They even told me the deeply buried Radiator cap is good. Can someone please check theirs?
Now also, is the recovery tank, with the screw on cap supposed to pressurize when hot also?
|
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Oct 18, 2014 15:42:47 GMT -6
Anyone? Go out and squeeze your warm hose and let me know, please  |
|
randnon
Aurora Passenger
Posts: 246 
|
Post by randnon on Oct 19, 2014 21:24:24 GMT -6
When hot the entire system is pressurized including the overflow tank. My 1st gen hoses are very hard at 180 to 200 deg. I am not familiar with the 2nd gen system. Rich
|
|
RCA1186
Administrator 
Rob
Go Pack Go!
Posts: 4,837
Staff Member
|
Post by RCA1186 on Oct 20, 2014 6:24:09 GMT -6
I don't think there's an actual "radiator cap" on this car. Just the cap on the surge tank. Yes the surge tank is pressurized. As far as I remember the upper radiator hose on mine is pretty firm when its hot, but you are able to squeeze it shut (as long as you're not a girly man ) |
|
tigger
Administrator
Posts: 2,844
Staff Member
|
Post by tigger on Oct 20, 2014 10:05:39 GMT -6
...but you are able to squeeze it shut (as long as you're not a girly man )  |
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Nov 12, 2014 18:46:17 GMT -6
Yea and that is what is puzzling, it's flaccid and there is no ejaculation of pressure when I remove the recovery cap when it's totally hot. Two GM techs told me this is normal. Strange I have no overheating issues - even in summer. Maybe this is good for the dreaded head gasket failures - - or maybe a sign of impending doom there?  Thanks! |
|
randnon
Aurora Passenger
Posts: 246
|
Post by randnon on Nov 13, 2014 8:15:45 GMT -6
You may need a new cap on the overflow tank. They are set at 15 psi and can fail. No pressure lowers your boiling point. If you have no leaks and are not loosing fluid ,it should be the cap.
|
|
|
|
Post by genedjr on Nov 13, 2014 12:46:29 GMT -6
You may need a new cap on the overflow tank. They are set at 15 psi and can fail. No pressure lowers your boiling point. If you have no leaks and are not loosing fluid ,it should be the cap. I agree. It is a pressurized system including the overflow reservoir. If you have no pressure, chances are that cap is bad. ...gene |
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Jan 3, 2015 18:25:05 GMT -6
That's what I thought... Both hoses are zero pressure.
Confirm - The overflow cap is the pressure cap? There is no "Stant" cap on the radiator?
(I know, I can pull some plastic to look, the shop manuals are not too clear on this...)
FEAR MODE here - If I do get it to pressurize, and IF there is the famous Northstar Head Gasket Fail, am I better off leaving it at ambient - I mean I am not towing a trailer or climbing Pikes Peak?
Thanks!
|
|
randnon
Aurora Passenger
Posts: 246
|
Post by randnon on Jan 7, 2015 0:46:14 GMT -6
The overflow cap is pressurized 15 PSI. They go bad,I have replaced a couple of them over the years. The common HG failure will over pressurize the system. Combustion gasses in the cooling jacket blowing coolant out the overflow. Replace the cap, I bet you are ok. Rich
|
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Jan 16, 2015 19:57:49 GMT -6
Yea the dreaded disgusting purple of a HC test strip.
Thanks, I guess it's time to blow up the system... Anyone have the GM part number on a coolant cap?
|
|
tigger
Administrator
Posts: 2,844
Staff Member
|
Post by tigger on Jan 16, 2015 22:38:02 GMT -6
GM 25713160 (AC Delco RC87).
|
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Jan 17, 2015 16:31:20 GMT -6
Thanks - got a NOS one on eBay for about $11 bucks! Will see how it goes.
|
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Mar 2, 2015 19:27:54 GMT -6
Yup - hose is hard as a rock now, and no Prestone out the exhaust... (!) Temps seem to be more stable and does not spike on coolant temps when sitting, but overall - - - Question: is it more of a chance under pressure to kill the head gaskets - - and why, oh why, did someone disable the old cap to not "pump up... ?
|
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Mar 22, 2015 9:28:20 GMT -6
So far so good - amazing how clueless the stealerships are; but then again, there is so much those techs need to know. But still, coolant hose pressure should be Engine 101 - especially if you have 20 other buddies there that may have actually worked on one of these antiques (and I have not before)...
Thanks again!
|
|
randnon
Aurora Passenger
Posts: 246
|
Post by randnon on Mar 22, 2015 21:59:43 GMT -6
The 15 psi on the system should be no problem for the HG. Think of what the pressure is on the other side of the gasket (combustion chamber ). My hoses are always hard , I think the worst affect is on the loooong radiator hoses and the radiator plastic side tanks. The pros make mistakes too. Good luck Rich
|
|
|
|
Post by emarkay on Mar 23, 2015 20:02:36 GMT -6
Thanks - yea my worry isn't the fire getting out, but after a hot soak shutdown, the glycol getting in...
|
|
