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Old 06-07-2015, 11:59 PM   #1
burner31
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Default Radiator cap?

OK, I'm going to throw my Model A ignorance out there.
Been having some issues with overheating, fluid spewing from the radiator cap.
So I'm doing the vinegar treatment and I ordered a new cap, well the cap came in and it's nothing like what came on the car, now I think the cap was one of my big problems.
Knowing nothing about Model A's I assumed the cap that came on the car was the proper cap, boy was I wrong.
The cap on the left is what came on the car, the one on the right I just received from Bert's.
Also recieved and installed the new starter and drove the car around the area without any issues, still have the vinegar in it, think I'll run it about a week with the vinegar then drain and refill with antifreeze.
Point is, assuming something is right on a car just because that's what came on it is a big mistake, there is no substitute for knowledge.
The cap on the left sure looks like a gas cap off something, tried it on the A and it don't fit.
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Old 06-08-2015, 01:29 AM   #2
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

Don't worry about it! It's fixed and it's driving season!
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Old 06-08-2015, 05:32 AM   #3
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

i hope your vinegar treatment does not clog up a good radiator. anything that gets loosened up will get lodged in the core. i would think twice about driving it around another week with the vinegar..
we tend to be our worst enemy being proactive or messing with something thats not actually the problem.

Last edited by Mitch//pa; 06-08-2015 at 06:24 AM.
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Old 06-08-2015, 10:22 AM   #4
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

I don't know about that. The longer that you leave the vinegar in, the more it will dissolve the rust, until it is all too small, to get clogged in the radiator.
Vinegar is a mild acid and you have to give it time to work.
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Old 06-08-2015, 11:00 AM   #5
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

many times its just not fine rust particles but chunks of rust and other foreign debris mixed together that break loose. most of which will plug or restrict a rad tube and some materials wont dissolve. once a tube gets blocked good luck trying to farmer fix and clear out the radiator with mechanic in a bottle.

Last edited by Mitch//pa; 06-08-2015 at 12:25 PM.
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Old 06-08-2015, 01:14 PM   #6
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

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Don't forget to neutralize the vinegar after you've used it. Drain and then run something through the cooling system. (I'm sure somebody will suggest what to use.)

The vinegar not only attacks the rust, but it will attack any pot metal parts as well, like the inside of a quail.
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Old 06-09-2015, 12:57 AM   #7
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

I was planning on doing a good flush and a back flush, but to neutralize an acid I would guess a box of baking soda dissolved in water.
Thanks for the heads up, it would not have occurred to me.
Am I on the right track with this? Or would there be something better?
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Old 06-09-2015, 01:56 AM   #8
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

Quote:
Originally Posted by burner31 View Post
I was planning on doing a good flush and a back flush, but to neutralize an acid I would guess a box of baking soda dissolved in water.
Thanks for the heads up, it would not have occurred to me.
Am I on the right track with this? Or would there be something better?
Sounds like you got it covered.
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Old 06-09-2015, 05:37 AM   #9
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

My radiator was in pretty bad shape. Did the vinegar treatment and made it worse. I bet there was rust or something clogging some holes and it opened them up. Ended up getting a new radiator.
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Old 06-09-2015, 10:06 AM   #10
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

Do not be afraid to leave the vinegar in, "too long".
Baking soda will neutralize the acid in the vinegar.
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Old 06-09-2015, 10:38 AM   #11
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

I heard told of running vinegar for a few days, a week, even an entire month.
Don't think I'll go the entire month, a week of smelling like a mobile Russian restaurant is plenty for me.
It's to bad beer doesn't work as well as vinegar, being an old Irish guy I could handle that for a month, but it would make for an easy target for Johnny Law.
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Old 06-09-2015, 05:08 PM   #12
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Default Re: Radiator cap?

If it were me I'd drink the beer and not worry about anything....
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