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cooling system isnt building pressure #981220
04/26/11 11:03 PM
04/26/11 11:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,682
Clinton Twp. Michigan
coronet1966d Offline OP
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my truck doesnt run hot it stays right around 180 but even when warm the top hose isnt hard. i can squeeze it flat with ease and i can remove the radiator cap at any time.

the radiator is brand new, the hoses are brand new, im running an aluminum high volume pump, march aluminum pullies and a 180 thermostat

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: coronet1966d] #981221
04/26/11 11:23 PM
04/26/11 11:23 PM
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ahy Offline
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It sounds like its time for a new cap... the old one isn't holding pressure.

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: ahy] #981222
04/26/11 11:28 PM
04/26/11 11:28 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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If cap good, go to a 195


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: RapidRobert] #981223
04/26/11 11:33 PM
04/26/11 11:33 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,233
petaluma,ca. u.s.a.
west Offline
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If the cap was bad or it lost pressure it would over heat. The truck prob. runs cool and The thermostat is prob. stuck. open.

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: west] #981224
04/26/11 11:47 PM
04/26/11 11:47 PM
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Upper Midwest
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MoparforLife Offline
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Quote:

If the cap was bad or it lost pressure it would over heat.


Not necessarily. pressure cap doesn't necessarily lower the temperature. It raises the boiling point and helps control coolant overflow when pressures build up.
Have seen many cooling systems spring a leak and to slow down or virtually stop the leak and limp in the cap is loosened to the first catch relieving the pressure and therefore slow down the leak. No heating unless the coolant level is WAY down whenit is done.

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: west] #981225
04/26/11 11:48 PM
04/26/11 11:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,943
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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Even if the stat was stuck open the temp would still be high enough to create pressure and not necessarily cause over heating.

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: stumpy] #981226
04/27/11 04:55 AM
04/27/11 04:55 AM
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Upper Midwest
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The cap creates a pressure valve allowing warmer temperatures to be reached before engine boil over resulting in coolant looses that will ultimately result en engine overheating. for each lb of pressure the boiling point of the coolant is increased allowing warmer temps to be reached before boil over.
"The radiator cap actually increases the boiling point of your coolant by about 45 F (25 C). How does this simple cap do this? The same way a pressure cooker increases the boiling temperature of water. The cap is actually a pressure release valve, and on cars it is usually set to 15 psi. The boiling point of water increases when the water is placed under pressure.

When the fluid in the cooling system heats up, it expands, causing the pressure to build up. The cap is the only place where this pressure can escape, so the setting of the spring on the cap determines the maximum pressure in the cooling system. When the pressure reaches 15 psi, the pressure pushes the valve open, allowing coolant to escape from the cooling system. This coolant flows through the overflow tube into the bottom of the overflow tank. This arrangement keeps air out of the system. When the radiator cools back down, a vacuum is created in the cooling system that pulls open another spring loaded valve, sucking water back in from the bottom of the overflow tank to replace the water that was expelled.'

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: MoparforLife] #981227
04/27/11 11:35 AM
04/27/11 11:35 AM
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Posts: 343
S.E.Mich
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drew72 Offline
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Time to put a pressure tester on the system. You probably have a very minor leak preventing the system from pressurizing.Why were all the parts replaced?

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: drew72] #981228
04/27/11 12:10 PM
04/27/11 12:10 PM
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organ
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maximum entropy Offline
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does the valve on the underside of the cap dangle freely? if so, you have a "weighted vacuum valve" cap. a lot of mopars came with these caps. they are designed to allow the cooling system to operate at ambient pressure under normal conditions. if there's a sudden increase in temperature, the valve is supposed to seal, allowing the system to pressurise. check the cap for that valve.


for what is the good life if not doing things thoughtfully?
Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: maximum entropy] #981229
04/27/11 12:50 PM
04/27/11 12:50 PM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,216
Under My Car
Mopar_Country Offline
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I have the same cap and my system doesn't pressurize either, unless I start working the engine. I can squeeze my hose as well, but it runs 180 all day long even in 90* heat under normal driving.

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: Mopar_Country] #981230
04/27/11 02:13 PM
04/27/11 02:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,200
Upper Midwest
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Why look for a problem where there ain't none. If it isn't heating or leaking leave it alone.

Bottom line: IF IT AIN'T BROKE - DON'T FIX IT

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: drew72] #981231
04/27/11 02:27 PM
04/27/11 02:27 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,682
Clinton Twp. Michigan
coronet1966d Offline OP
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Quote:

Time to put a pressure tester on the system. You probably have a very minor leak preventing the system from pressurizing.Why were all the parts replaced?




my truck was a 360/ 4 speed and im in the buttoning up stage on my 440/727 swap. EVERYTHING is new or rebuilt

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: maximum entropy] #981232
04/27/11 02:36 PM
04/27/11 02:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,682
Clinton Twp. Michigan
coronet1966d Offline OP
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Clinton Twp. Michigan
Quote:

does the valve on the underside of the cap dangle freely? if so, you have a "weighted vacuum valve" cap. a lot of mopars came with these caps. they are designed to allow the cooling system to operate at ambient pressure under normal conditions. if there's a sudden increase in temperature, the valve is supposed to seal, allowing the system to pressurise. check the cap for that valve.





i just checked my cap, it is an OEM chrysler 16lb cap and it appears to have the dangling valve you mentioned. all the seals on the cap are in good condition with no cracks.

i just want to make sure im not hurting anything and it seemed very odd to me that after cruizing and a couple good pulls it wouldnt have any pressure in the top hose

Re: cooling system isnt building pressure [Re: coronet1966d] #981233
04/27/11 06:22 PM
04/27/11 06:22 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,080
organ
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maximum entropy Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

does the valve on the underside of the cap dangle freely? if so, you have a "weighted vacuum valve" cap. a lot of mopars came with these caps. they are designed to allow the cooling system to operate at ambient pressure under normal conditions. if there's a sudden increase in temperature, the valve is supposed to seal, allowing the system to pressurise. check the cap for that valve.





i just checked my cap, it is an OEM chrysler 16lb cap and it appears to have the dangling valve you mentioned. all the seals on the cap are in good condition with no cracks.

i just want to make sure im not hurting anything and it seemed very odd to me that after cruizing and a couple good pulls it wouldnt have any pressure in the top hose



hmm. sounds like you don't have a problem.


for what is the good life if not doing things thoughtfully?






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