|
You could try pumping air into the cooling system via one of those hand pumps designed for the purpose. The cooling system should not lose pressure but if it does, eliminate the radiator and cap right away. If the radiator and cap are sound then there is a leak somewhere and most likely at the headgasket or a cracked head.
Remember the radiator cap is designed to open at 16 PSI but if it fails to open you could blow your radiator open so if you use the hand pump be sure the gauge is accurate. A hairline crack in the radiator will reveal itself, at first, by leaking only when hot or under pressure. My experience was seeing drops of coolent on the fan shrouds but I couldn't find any leaks. After reading these boards I changed the radiator and all is well.
There is also a pressure tester available for the radiator cap.
Usually folks don't have these tools and go to shops but shops usually do a quick check and move on. The better way is to leave the pressure tester on for an extended period of time through a hot and cold engine cycle. If you lose pressure you have a leak and that should not be. I just went through a bad engine running hot experience ( not an Acura )
and the problem was that the overflow tank filler cap was not tight. My fault. There is no radiator cap on this car and water is added to the overflow tank, if needed.The tank is part of the pressurized cooling system and I didn't tighten the filler cap as I should have. Fortunatly no damage.
Good write up Jetdoc.
RAP
RAP
__________________
Acurite
|