Community Forums

Knightly · 04-21-2011, 10:52 PM

I have tried to remove my radiator cap several times now with no success. I can turn it counter clockwise until it releases the initial spring tension but have been unable to turn it further. I push down and turn but it gets caught on something. I do not want to force it in case I damage it somehow.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Knightly

2007 Class A 35' Itasca, W24 workhorse chassis

DAN L · 04-22-2011, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightly

I have tried to remove my radiator cap several times now with no success. I can turn it counter clockwise until it releases the initial spring tension but have been unable to turn it further. I push down and turn but it gets caught on something. I do not want to force it in case I damage it somehow.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Knightly

2007 Class A 35' Itasca, W24 workhorse chassis

it was a pita to remove my radiator cap.

make sure the engine is cold.

i turned it as far as i could by hand then used a large channel lock plier to turn it while pushing down on the cap with a 2x4. my dw exercised the pliers

while i pushed down with the 2x4.

DriVer · 04-22-2011, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightly

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This task can be brutal especially with an after market cap like I have. On the RC-33, I did not have so much difficulty however what you need to do is that when you begin your counter clockwise motion that you push down on the cap to clear the dogs on the fill neck. Pushing down as perpendicularly or as square as possible will better disengage the dogs simultaneously. What is happening is that either one or the other dog is still grabbing the cap because the push is not square.

Once you clear the dogs the first thing you do is pick up the cap and look inside the cap and say what in the world?

paz · 04-22-2011, 06:12 AM

DAN L and DriVer are right, pushing down on the cap after it won't turn anymore is the key. I didn't need channel locks, but there is a notch you need to get the cap past, and it's fairly hard to do. As stated, wait 'till the engine is cold.

Bigdaddy · 04-22-2011, 07:49 AM

Snapon makes a tool just to remove a rad. cap. Makes the job very easy. Might try an auto parts store for a different brand.

Clay L · 04-22-2011, 09:43 AM

I ended up taking a couple of bolts loose on the air intake bell so I could move it out the way. Then I could get to the cap and push and turn hard enough to take it off with no tools.

Max Hubrich · 04-22-2011, 10:44 AM

Hooray-- Job well done

Ron & Dee · 04-25-2011, 03:01 AM

I still dread that job

I'm short and have to stand on a stool or short ladder, but when I try to push down, the force goes in the wrong direction

I push my body up instead of the cap down. Now if I could wedge my body some how to keep it from moving, then maybe I could get more downward force.

There has to be a better way

Ron

tims52ford · 04-25-2011, 04:44 AM

Big Daddy is right, snap-on has the right tool, I have one an it works great

IRVTrekin2 · 05-12-2011, 10:24 PM

I just did a search on Snap-On's web site and couldn't locate this radiator cap remover. I wonder if Big Daddy or Tims52Ford could share anymore info about the tool, maybe what it is called or a part #, Thanks.

DriVer · 05-13-2011, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims52ford

Big Daddy is right, snap-on has the right tool, I have one an it works great

What is the part number on the tool? Thx.

TOMFEN · 05-13-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer

What is the part number on the tool? Thx.

Did a "Bing" search on radiator cap removal tool and found one made by Lisle. Part# is (lis20900). If you do a search for this # it will show a picture of the tool and places where you can purchase it.

Tom

Full.Monte · 08-03-2011, 04:29 AM

I'm having the same problem with mine. I just purchased the MH and noticed that the coolant level was well below the "minimum cold" mark. Trying to remove the cap was very humbling because I've been fixing my cars and trucks for over 40 years. I didn't want to force it, so did a search on this forum and found someone with the same exact problem.

I still haven't managed to get it removed, but at least I know that it's not me doing something wrong. I was wondering if there was air at the top of the radiator tank and if cooling down had put a vacuum on the cap seal.

DriVer · 08-03-2011, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full.Monte

I was wondering if there was air at the top of the radiator tank and if cooling down had put a vacuum on the cap seal.

Full.Monte, No sir, It's just a CC push and turn. It can be a bear sometimes to get the dogs on the cap to square up on the filler neck and pop off. The key to removing the cap is to apply equal force as you turn. Having a stock air intake in place adds a little difficulty to the task. Once open, the radiator should be completely full.