Hi all, I have looked in the tech section and cant seem to find my question. I need to replace my radiator cap. I have been to the shop and 1 says 1psi another says 16psi and another guy suggested if I use a higher psi like 19-20 that would help the system run cooler??? Please help? Thanks in adavnce
Having a higher pressure radiator cap won't make your system run cooler... Just get a Nismo radiator cap if you want the whole brand name thing, if you don't care get a stock replacement?
how much and postage to Adelaide mate? What is the pressure though, thats something I am trying to find out
I don't know. It came with my aftermarket radiator but the one I had before was working fine so I kept it. PM coming.
The OEM cap on a TT is 1.2 kg/cm2, a NISMO cap is 1.3 a slightly higher pressure rating, so the guy that was telling you about the higher pressure cap was on the right track. By increasing the radiator cap pressure you are increasing the temperature where the coolant will boil. Remember the radiator cap is also the cooling system pressure relief valve, the cap will open to vent coolant into the coolant reservoir. The maximum pressure to test the Z32 cooling system is 23 psi.
I will let u know anti, still trying to find out the correct pressure. 1 guy told me 13psi, and other said 16psi and then I read on another z32 forum 19psi/ So I am still no wiser
Look in the online service manual, it has metric & imperial pressures. The early Z32 had different pressures for the N/A & TT's. Late model N/A & TTZ's ran the same TT pressure rated cap.
To clarify........download the service manual & check the specifications in the cooling system section! 16psi sounds a little on the low side, Is it an early or late model? N/A or TT? What's wrong with the cap you have?
My z is a 1990 TT auto, so sounds like the 16psi would be too low/ Should I go the 19psi/ My original cap doesnt hold pressure, just lets water out when engine warms up
Its probably NOT the cap pressure that is the issue. Cause the radiator neck is plastic. The metal tags of the cap chew away at the plastic neck and eventually the retaining ears wear off so much plastic, the cap cant clamp it properly and gets loose. Try bending the ears under the cap upwards a bit. This will pull the cap harder down onto the neck. Should fix the issue.
no the rubber is totally shot.its perished so new cap.but still no wiser in the recommended psi cap?????? 13 16 19?????
go to Mr Nissan and purchase an OEM TT Cap as per East Coast Z's post above ... 1.2 bar/17.4036 psi. cost is stuff all for peace of mind.
OK then buy a 1.2 BAR cap. I used a 1 BAR cap for ages no issues Dont over analyse this its only a bloody radiatir cap.
Thanks guys. Not over analyise it, just dont want over-heating and dont waant to keep filling up radiator after a drive. Point is cooling system should be sealed and not loosing pressure.
East Coast has the correct information. To back it up check the Z32 wiki http://z32.wikispaces.com/Radiator+Cap A TT requires at least 1.2 bar cap (NA is 0.9 bar). Quoted from the Tech Section of the forum. http://tech.aus300zx.com/ (Cooling system advice by Zcar91) If you have replaced all your coolant hoses the nismo 1.3 (19psi) would be ok. If you have not then go the safe level with a 16psi. which is still higher than the original NA cap pressure,and still in the safe operating specs.
I ran a 0.9 BAR cap on my TT for ages with no issues and no overheating at all. Like I said just go get one and stop the water pissing out. A TT wont over heat even with a 0.9 bar cap unless you are losing water out of somewhere else and the system wont build pressure.
