irritating radiator cap leak

[Eric58701]

ok about to throw a gasket here, i had a leaky raditor cap last year, so i bought a new cap last fall, never put it on till today, took it for a test run and the dam thing started to leak, what the hell is going on here?   could the thermostat be bad ? head issue?

[Jess from VA]

It is possible the thin radiator lips the cap screws to have been bent a little.  People have carefully bent them back with improved results.  I have never done this so I can't further explain how the bending is done, other than carefully.  (If it looks crooked/bent, try to make it not crooked/bent?  Carefully.)

Also, it's well known that radiator caps and hoses (and fuel Orings) may leak a bit after sitting and drying out in winter, and after being heated up (and hydrated) for the first (or second or third) time of the year.  These leaks often disappear with no work at all, after parts get used again.

Your new cap is not one of those evilbay temperature gauge caps is it?  Those have been reported to leak, many times.

[Eric58701]

no its not one of those gauge type caps, i did buy one at a local automotive store last summer when i noticed the original cap dripping, and it didnt fix it, so i put it on my snowmobile and it worked like a charm, no leak at all, i ordered a new cap monday morning when the local honda dealership opened

i will check the mounts and seal area of the radiator,  it does not over heat, or never has yet.

[oldsmokey]

Certainly wouldn't suspect it, but its not making bubbles when running is it? I would would take up space with the ears on the cap before tweaking top of flange on neck. One is is easy to replace and cheaper.

[Joevalk]

Mine was leaking to at one time. I bent the tab into the tap and sealed the deal. Looked like it was turned to far nd opened the tabs up. Check it out

[big poppa pump]

Had similar issue, bent the tabs back and no leaks since then.

[Eric58701]

ok great news guys, i will look at them tabs tweek and give the it try ! thanks again  for all the help

[Ricky-D]

Make sure the overflow line is not plugged. The cap has two sealing surfaces, one for the radiator and the other for the recovery tank. If the overflow line, or tank become plugged up it will want to force coolant out at the cap.  Insure the leak is not occurring at the recovery hose.

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[Eric58701]

UPDATE just i figure i better take time to thank everyone for the simple fix of adjusting the tabs on the radiator cap, it worked i put on about 6 miles, and not one drip, now to gettint the nice chrome cover off the old cap or just get a new one.
Thanks guys so much for the help

[Jess from VA]

If the set screw on your old cap cover (and cap) was over-tightened, that can cause a deformation, and a leak.