Radiator Cap
02-05-2015, 10:33 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-22-2010
Location: Russia Ekaterinburg
Posts: 2,009
My Hippo 2006 2,4LT.
mileage - closer to 200,000 kilometers (120,000 miles).
I changed the radiator cap prophylactically. I bought Acdelco product. Previous radiator cap is still operable.
Of course, it is likely that American (previous owner) also changed the cover before sending the car in Russia. But this is unlikely.
mileage - closer to 200,000 kilometers (120,000 miles).
I changed the radiator cap prophylactically. I bought Acdelco product. Previous radiator cap is still operable.
Of course, it is likely that American (previous owner) also changed the cover before sending the car in Russia. But this is unlikely.
02-06-2015, 03:19 AM
#3
Deceased
Join Date: 06-30-2010
Location: Kannapolis NC
Posts: 25,739
I've changed out the caps with new OEM(General Motors) parts when doing the five year cooling system services. HHR's are "hot blooded" by nature, and they'll not withstand overheating for long before you risk serious and costly damage.
So compared to the costs involved in repairing the damage that can happen when a cap fails, although rare in frequency, it's cheap insurance to change the cap if you have any doubts.
So compared to the costs involved in repairing the damage that can happen when a cap fails, although rare in frequency, it's cheap insurance to change the cap if you have any doubts.
02-06-2015, 08:10 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-12-2009
Location: Great Falls, MT
Posts: 114
Being second owner, I do not know when mine was changed (if it was), so I think I will go ahead and replace. I know some that replace the cap every time it is opened, but I have not done so.
02-06-2015, 09:01 AM
#5
Platinum Member
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,097
If I did that, I would have to buy them by the gross (144).
02-06-2015, 06:03 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-12-2009
Location: Great Falls, MT
Posts: 114
I believe a prominent manufacturer use to state this(I wonder why?). Some in the hotrodding circles adhere to it as well. The only thing I can think of that it may take you up to your next coolant change.
02-06-2015, 06:23 PM
#7
Platinum Member
Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,097
???
I've been working on cars for 40 years and have also done my share of hot rodding.
In fact, I used to do mechanic work for a living years ago.
Never heard of replacing a radiator cap after "one" use. The cap on my Dodge truck has been on/off hundreds of times. Had a small seepage leak around the timing cover for 5 years. I would just check it weekly and top off if needed.
I check my coolant level in all my vehicles on a regular basis. And I don't mean by looking in the overflow tank. That's just not an accurate way to check the coolant level.
I have seen many vehicles have coolant in the tank and little in the radiator itself.
I've been working on cars for 40 years and have also done my share of hot rodding.
In fact, I used to do mechanic work for a living years ago.
Never heard of replacing a radiator cap after "one" use. The cap on my Dodge truck has been on/off hundreds of times. Had a small seepage leak around the timing cover for 5 years. I would just check it weekly and top off if needed.
I check my coolant level in all my vehicles on a regular basis. And I don't mean by looking in the overflow tank. That's just not an accurate way to check the coolant level.
I have seen many vehicles have coolant in the tank and little in the radiator itself.
02-07-2015, 05:34 PM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-12-2009
Location: Great Falls, MT
Posts: 114
I had been checking the coolant level by viewing the overflow tank so I decided to look under the cap like firemangeorge does. Couldn't even open it by hand! I used some persuasion to get it open and the coolant was under the cap. The level in the overflow rises and falls so it appears to be working.
