What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Car Radiator Cap?
2 Answers
When the car radiator cap is broken, coolant will spray out from the radiator cap, reducing the flow of coolant into the engine and lowering the pressure. As a result, the heat generated by the engine cannot be dissipated by the coolant, leading to engine overheating or even boiling over. The functions of the radiator cap are as follows: 1. Sealing. Under any operating condition, coolant leakage through the radiator cap is not allowed. 2. When the coolant temperature rises and the pressure inside the radiator increases to a certain value, the radiator cap automatically opens the pressure relief valve, allowing excess coolant due to thermal expansion to flow into the auxiliary tank. 3. When the coolant temperature decreases, due to the contraction of the coolant, a negative pressure forms in the radiator, and the radiator cap automatically opens the return valve, allowing the supplementary fluid in the auxiliary tank to flow back into the radiator.
I remember when my car's radiator cap was broken, the symptoms were quite obvious: the temperature gauge would skyrocket after driving for a while, and thick white smoke would billow from the engine compartment, especially when stopping at red lights. Coolant would also spray out occasionally, leaving green liquid traces on the ground. This issue is quite dangerous as it can easily lead to engine overheating and damage. I almost had a blown engine that time, but fortunately, I stopped in time to inspect and discovered the problem. It's recommended to regularly check if the radiator cap's sealing ring is worn out during maintenance—replacing it will solve the issue. If you notice smoke while driving, don’t push it; turn off the engine immediately and check—safety first.