I am working on my '74 Duster. I am running a factory radiator and over flow/reservoir. It normally runs at 180 degrees... which is when the thermostat opens. The last two times that I have taken it out... it has climbed up to 195/200...
My thermostat opens at 180 like it is supposed to. I have not lost a head gasket, both the coolant and oil are clean and clear.
On my way home today it got up to 200 on the highway. I pulled off at a gas station and let it idle to cool off. What I noticed was that at 195 degrees my upper radiator hose was soft like there was no pressure in it. It eventually crept back down to 180 and I eased it back home.
I am using a 16lb Stant Lev-R-Vent radiator cap. When I got home It was back up to about 195. I tossed a rag over the radiator cap and gently pulled up on the lever only to find that there was NO PRESSURE behind the cap. I opened it up with it running varified that the coolant was flowing.
My question is, Shouldn't there be pressure behind the radiator cap in that situation?
My thermostat opens at 180 like it is supposed to. I have not lost a head gasket, both the coolant and oil are clean and clear.
On my way home today it got up to 200 on the highway. I pulled off at a gas station and let it idle to cool off. What I noticed was that at 195 degrees my upper radiator hose was soft like there was no pressure in it. It eventually crept back down to 180 and I eased it back home.
I am using a 16lb Stant Lev-R-Vent radiator cap. When I got home It was back up to about 195. I tossed a rag over the radiator cap and gently pulled up on the lever only to find that there was NO PRESSURE behind the cap. I opened it up with it running varified that the coolant was flowing.
My question is, Shouldn't there be pressure behind the radiator cap in that situation?