CaptainSquirts

iTrader: (3)

Is it normal for the coolant reservoir cap to leak? I bought a new coolant reservoir and still leaks. Or could something else be causing this? There's no contamination in the coolant in there or anything, I just get an annoying coolant smell.

LetsGetThisDone

iTrader: (1)

Did the new reservoir come with a new cap? That really weird. My car has overflowed but only come out the overflow tube, never out of the cap.

CaptainSquirts

iTrader: (3)

It's a new cap.

Biggiesacks

might wanna test that coolant for combustion residue. Im thinking you might be blowing bubbles up in that thing.

LetsGetThisDone

iTrader: (1)

The coolant should come out the overflow tube, not the cap though. On first session at a track day, my car fills the reservoir and over flows it a bit because the coolant grows so much with heat soak. Doesn't leak from the cap though.

Biggiesacks

thats kinda why i was thinking bubbles, only way i could see coolant kinda spraying / pressure spiking inside the overflow.


Edit: by contamination do you mean you already checked for combustion residue?

CaptainSquirts

iTrader: (3)

How would I go about doing this?

Biggiesacks

they sell little tester kits at most auto parts stores, or just Amazon.

LetsGetThisDone

iTrader: (1)

Valid point.




You're looking for a block tester. this

and you'll also need the fluid, which is on that page, available to buy as a package.

CaptainSquirts

iTrader: (3)

Purchased, I'll post results probably on friday whenever I get it. Thanks

RightSaid fred

They don't work.



Just check for bubbles coming out when you blip the throttle.

heel2toe

iTrader: (41)

Make sure the cap is fully seated and the rubber gasket is still intact and not pinched. I know myself personally there have been times where mine didnt seat properly, really just user error on my part. Now out of habit when I put back on the cap I sorta twist it side to side to make sure its fully seated. Seems silly but might be as simple as that. Or perhaps the gasket is gone?

I wouldnt start thinking the worst already; might be something totally stupid like that.

barneyb

Black light with dye photograph - interesting.

CaptainSquirts

iTrader: (3)

Did the combustion leak test, and results are clean. So I'm guessing just the seal on the coolant cap is bad then?

barneyb

To answer your original question, no, its not normal for the cap to leak. On a cold engine, with the reservoir level topped off to the full mark, in normal driving the coolant level never climbs to the level of the cap.