Radiator Cap
How To Repair Radiator Hoses
When a radiator hose is leaking, it needs to be replaced. Most new vehicles have formed hoses, which mean that a hose specific to that particular vehicle must be obtained. This is not difficult because most auto parts stores carry a wide selection of hoses, along with hose clamps and coolant, which should also be replaced at this time.
Be prepared to give basic information about your vehicle, including the year, make, and model. In some cases, they may ask for the vehicle identification number, which is located on the registration card. Place a container of approximately five gallon capacity under the radiator drain and open the valve.
When the coolant stops flowing, loosen the clamps on each end of the offending hose. Remove the hose and discard it. After sliding the new hose clamps loosely on the ends, install the replacement in its place.
Next, properly position the clamps and tighten them securely. Using the new coolant, refill the radiator, install the cap, and start the engine. Idle the engine for several minutes to cause the engine thermostat to open. Then, remove the cap and check the level. It is normal for this to be low at this time. If so, replenish the system; reinstall the cap, and double check the hose clamps. At this point, the only thing left to do is to properly dispose of the used coolant.
While the proper way to repair a radiator hose in most instances is to replace it, as outlined above, there are rare occasions in which an emergency repair may be made by cutting the damaged part of the hose off and clamping the remainder to the original starting point. This is not recommended as a permanent repair. Great caution must be exercised in doing this, as it is likely that the engine and escaping coolant will be hot.
If the hose from just below the radiator cap is not connected(broken) to the coolant reservoir what do I do?
My daughter bought a 97 Nissan Sentra and we just had the alternator replaced, by Nissan. When I brought it home I noticed a hose connected to the coolant reservior "hanging" there. I finally figured out where it was supposed to be connected, just below the radiator cap and it is broken off. What does this mean? Does she need a new radiator? How much does that cost? Can she still drive it in that condition? Thanks.
If the hose is broken you cannot drive the car. If you do, you will damage all the major parts because it cannot stay within a normal temperature without the coolant fluid that is transported through the radiator hose. you would need to get that fixed.
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1960 1972 CHEVY GMC TRUCK NEW AC DELCO RADIATOR CAP WITHOUT A C | US $20.00 | 15m |
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1960 1972 CHEVY GMC TRUCK NEW AC DELCO RADIATOR CAP WITH A C | US $20.00 | 15m |
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1964 CHEVY CHEVELLE NEW AC DELCO RADIATOR CAP | US $20.00 | 15m |
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98 03 Suzuki TL1000 TL 1000 Radiator Fill Cap | US $13.95 | 19m |
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1 1 2 Diameter Universal Rubber Metal Radiator Cap for Auto Car | US $12.86 | 31m |
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Rubber Interior Metal Top 1 1 10 Diameter Radiator Cap for Car | US $7.75 | 34m |
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KAWASAKI 1994 KX125 KX 125 RADIATOR NON CAP SIDE | US $9.99 | 38m |
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8N 9N 2N FORD NEW WINGED RADIATOR CAP | US $9.99 | 39m |
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type F 13 bar Aluminum RADIATOR CAP Acura INTEGRA NSX | US $5.12 | 39m |
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type F 13 bar RADIATOR CAP INTEGRA NSX Type R GS RS | US $4.99 | 39m |
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KAWASAKI 1994 KX125 KX 125 RADIATOR CAP SIDE | US $9.99 | 40m |
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2001 2005 KAWASAKI ZR 1200 ZR1200 ZRX 1200 THERMOSTATE RADIATOR CAP HOSE THERM | US $44.99 | 42m |
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07 Kawasaki EX650 Ninja 650 RADIATOR CAP | US $2.95 | 43m |
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1999 Honda Fireblade CBR 900 RR X Radiator Cooling System Cap Screw On Lid | US $24.99 | 45m |
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1930 1931 Hudson Radiator Cap | US $25.00 | 46m |
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CAGIVA 1988 250 CAP NON CAP RADIATORS | US $19.99 | 47m |
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1988 HONDA CR 80 CR80 GAS TANK FUEL TANK PETCOCK RADIATOR SHROUD CAP CR GAS TA | US $74.99 | 48m |
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99 Polaris Indy XC SP 500 Radiator Coolant Cap Water Tank Reservoir Lid XCSP | US $10.99 | 49m |
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01 05 Yamaha FZ1 Radiator Fill Cap | US $18.95 | 56m |
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Yamaha Venture Royal Star RADIATOR CAP | US $2.95 | 56m |
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03 Up Honda ST1300 Radiator Fill Cap | US $18.95 | 1h 1m |
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type F 13 bar RADIATOR CAP Civic Prelude Si VTEC | US $4.52 | 1h 3m |
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Racing Aluminum Radiator Coolant Breather Surge Tank 16 PSI Cap Hoses RED | US $74.81 | 1h 8m |
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Aluminum Racing Radiator Coolant Breather Surge Tank 16 PSI Cap Hoses BLUE | US $74.81 | 1h 8m |
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Replacement 1 1 8 Diameter Car Water Tank Radiator Cap | US $7.40 | 1h 11m |
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1994 to 1998 c70 s70 v70 850 Radiator Coolant Tank VOLVO 94 to 98 | US $60.40 | 1h 12m |
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1987 ELITE 150 RADIATOR FILLER TUBE CAP | US $19.99 | 1h 12m |
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1997 97 SKYLARK COOLANT BOTTLE CAP RADIATOR OVERFLOW | US $24.99 | 1h 19m |
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300ZX 90 96 Z32 NA RADIATOR HOSE CAP CMyEbayStore | US $40.00 | 1h 19m |
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Mercedes Radiator Cap 230SL 250SE 280SL 300SEL Behr NEW | US $21.50 | 1h 20m |
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98 Kawasaki Vulcan VN800 800 RADIATOR CAP | US $2.95 | 1h 21m |
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Metal Top Car Tank Radiator Cap Lid 1 1 10 Diameter | US $7.30 | 1h 30m |
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RADIATOR FILL CAP SUZUKI GT750 GT 750 1972 72 BUFFALO | US $32.99 | 1h 36m |
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Honda Civic 96 97 98 99 00 RADIATOR COOLANT TANK w Cap | US $9.49 | 1h 42m |
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Kawasaki Utv Mule Radiator Cap Oem Kaf 620 | US $29.99 | 1h 48m |
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John Deere 50 60 70 520 620 720 730 Radiator Cap | US $8.95 | 1h 54m |
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BILLET RADIATOR CAP 13kg TOYOTA 350 300Z 240 S13 S14 | US $29.99 | 1h 56m |
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CRF 450 R RADIATOR OEM FILL CAP SIDE LEFT RIGHT HONDA CRF450 CRF450R PARTS | US $23.94 | 1h 59m |
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Kawasaki ZG Concours 1000 1986 86 Radiator Cap | US $9.00 | 1h 59m |
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Kawasaki ZL600 Eliminator 600 RADIATOR CAP | US $2.95 | 2h |
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05 06 Honda CBR600RR CBR 600RR Radiator Fill Cap | US $9.95 | 2h 1m |
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HONDA Magna VF750 Valkyrie Chrome Radiator Cap | US $14.99 | 2h 15m |
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Flathead Ford V8 1937 Pickup Radiator Cap Used | US $65.00 | 2h 16m |
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02 SUZUKI VL 800 VL800 VALOSIA RADIATOR NECK WITH CAP | US $3.20 | 2h 20m |
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NEW FORD TRACTOR RADIATOR CAP 8N 9N 2N W WING 2N8100A | US $9.99 | 2h 24m |
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NOS GM AC RC 15 861050 RADIATOR CAP CHEVROLET PONTIAC OLDSMOBILE BUICK OEM | US $124.99 | 2h 27m |
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1934 Chevrolet HOOD EAGLE RADIATOR CAP ORNAMENT NORS beautiful reproduction | US $350.00 | 2h 29m |
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2003 Yamaha Raptor 660 Radiator cap | US $5.00 | 2h 29m |
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BILLET RADIATOR CAP 13kg Nissan ser 350z xb xa mazda 3 | US $29.99 | 2h 30m |
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KAWASAKI RADIATOR CAP 11 | US $15.00 | 2h 37m |
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Cusco Japan 00B 050 B13 Radiator Cap Type B | US $29.99 | 2h 43m |
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2010 08 10 kawasaki ninja 250r radiator filler neck cap 223 | US $9.00 | 2h 47m |
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1993 Kawasaki EX 500 Ninja radiator filler neck thermosthat housing and cap | US $54.99 | 2h 47m |
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Corvette Radiator 1966 1972 Cap Zinc Pltd Steel E1814 | US $29.95 | 2h 51m |
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Corvette 1956 1960 Radiator Cap zinc plated steel E1808 | US $34.95 | 2h 51m |
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86 kawasaki ninja 250 radiator filler with cap | US $10.00 | 2h 56m |
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Mr Gasket Radiator Cap Thermocap NEW LOOK Rat Hot Rod | US $17.59 | 2h 57m |
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Kawasaki Brute Force 750 KVF750 RADIATOR CAP | US $2.95 | 3h 7m |
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1982 CADILLAC RADIATOR CAP NEW FREE SHIP VINTAGE USA | US $9.85 | 3h 9m |
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Titanium Style Performance Radiator Cap 11 Kg cm2 Toyota Lexus Honda Acura | US $7.49 | 3h 9m |
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Titanium Style Radiator Cap 11 Kg cm2 Nissan Subaru Mazda Mitsubishi Hyundai | US $7.49 | 3h 9m |
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Titanium Style Performance Radiator Cap 13 Kg cm2 Toyota Lexus Honda Acura | US $7.49 | 3h 9m |
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Titanium Style Radiator Cap 13 Kg cm2 Nissan Subaru Mazda Mitsubishi Hyundai | US $7.49 | 3h 9m |
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HIGH CAPACITY 3 ROW RADIATORCAP2 X 10 BLACK COOLING FANS 79 93 FORD MUSTANG | US $142.99 | 3h 10m |
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87 93 Ford Mustang Coolant Overflow Bottle Cap OEM NEW | US $14.95 | 3h 11m |
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HIGH CAPACITY 3 ROW RADIATORCAP2 X 10 BLUE COOLING FANS 79 93 FORD MUSTANG MT | US $142.99 | 3h 12m |
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HIGH CAPACITY 3 ROW CORE RADIATORCAP2X 10 RED COOLING FANS 79 93 FORD MUSTANG | US $142.99 | 3h 12m |
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Radiator Pressure Cap 1992 Kawasaki KLR250 KLR 250 | US $9.99 | 3h 14m |
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KAWASAKI ZXR900 C2 1999 RADIATOR CAP | US $11.08 | 3h 16m |
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DNA TRI CORES BOLT ON RACING 3 ROW ALUMINUM RADIATOR W CAP 79 93 FORD MUSTANG | US $166.98 | 3h 19m |
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1997 Ford Explorer OIL CAP AND RADIATOR CAP | US $10.00 | 3h 19m |
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Aprilia Caponord ETV 1000 Radiator Fill Cap | US $24.95 | 3h 24m |
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DNA DUAL CORES BOLT ON RACING 2 ROW ALUMINUM RADIATORCAP 90 98 MAZDA MIATA MX 5 | US $159.98 | 3h 25m |
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DNA DUAL CORES BOLT ON RACING 2 ROW ALUMINUM RADIATORCAP 99 05 MAZDA MIATA MX 5 | US $159.98 | 3h 26m |
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DNA DUAL CORES BOLT ON RACING 2 ROW ALUMINUM RADIATORCAP JDM 02 06 ACURA RSX | US $166.98 | 3h 26m |
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05 YZ450F YZ 450F YZ450 right radiator w cap 72 Q | US $140.00 | 3h 31m |
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05 10 SCION TC 2AZ FE 24 MT MANUAL DUAL CORE 2 ROW ALUMINUM RACING RADIATORCAP | US $101.99 | 3h 36m |
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Ford Fiesta Radiator Cap Stant SD22 Lev R Vent Radiator Cap | US $1.99 | 3h 40m |
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2010 CAMARO BILLET RADIATOR CAP COVER 2SS RS POLISHED | US $44.95 | 3h 42m |
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Vintage AC Radiator Cap for 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 GM Cars 15 PSI | US $15.00 | 3h 53m |
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06 KAWASAKI 250 NINJA EX250 RADIATOR CAP HOSES p | US $15.00 | 3h 57m |
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Yamaha VMax V Max VMX12 RADIATOR CAP | US $2.95 | 3h 57m |
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NAPA Radiator Cap for 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 GM Cars 16 LBS | US $4.00 | 4h 4m |
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DUCATI ST23ST4s Radiator Fan cap 749 999 Bottle | US $149.99 | 4h 9m |
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1969 to 81 Cadillac Radiator cap All Models | US $12.99 | 4h 9m |
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Radiator with cap 1998 Kawasaki KX 100 125 OEM | US $25.00 | 4h 16m |
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toyota 4runner limited radiator cap 34l 96 | US $6.98 | 4h 16m |
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MOPAR UPPER RADIATOR HOSE 52028810AL INCLUDES HOUSING WITH COOLANT CAP | US $39.38 | 4h 20m |
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1920s Cleveland Boyce Moto Meter and radiator cap | US $110.00 | 4h 22m |
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RADIATOR CAP SUPRA 90 91 92 93 NON TURBO GENUINE TOYOTA 16401 63010 | US $14.75 | 4h 24m |
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RADIATOR CAP FJ CRUISER 06 07 08 09 10 11 GENUINE TOYOTA 16401 75440 | US $14.25 | 4h 25m |
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97 01 HONDA PRELUDE BB6 MT DUAL CORE 2 ROW ALUMINUM RADIATORCAP12 BLUE FANS | US $137.99 | 4h 26m |
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01 05 LEXUS IS300 ALTEZZA MT DUAL CORE 2 ROW ALUMINUM RADIATORCAP12 BLACK FAN | US $120.99 | 4h 26m |
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01 05 LEXUS IS300 ALTEZZA MT DUAL CORE 2 ROW ALUMINUM RADIATORCAP12 BLUE FANS | US $120.99 | 4h 27m |