My Sube's cooling system is working fine but I'm thinking about replacing the radiator cap(it's been there for a good number of years) with a higher pressure one; they're rated at 19 lbs...I think that the regular ones are 16 lbs.

Ya think that the 19 pounder might create problems?

If a 16 lb has worked well for years, then I would recommend staying with that size. I don't see any advantage to adding 3 more pounds of pressure to your cooling system, only creates a possible negative effect. The added pressure could cause a weak hose or weak spot in your radiator to be more likely to spring a leak.

Following that logic.....if he had a soft hose or weak spot in the radiator, wouldn't it leak eventually anyway? This way he could keep an eye out for any leaks for a week or two. But I guess I just don't understand why you would want to use a higher pressure cap. Higher pressure raises the temp that water boils at. You said the cooling system works fine. What's the point?

Stick with 16psi. 19psi can cause (even good) hoses to blow, old radiators or heater cores to leak, or even a waterpump seal to go.

19 psi, This is bad lol.

What's your reason for thinking your car needs the higher pressure cap?

Not a matter of need; just thought that the higher pressure cap might make for a more efficient cooling system...higher pressure means higher boiling point.

But after rethinking this I realize that it would be a bad idea since Subaru head gaskets leak .like sieves:brow:

I'll stay with 16 lbs. Don't wanna look for trouble.http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

Edited October 6, 201114 yr by ergo

Not a matter of need; just thought that the higher pressure cap might make for a more efficient cooling system...higher pressure means higher boiling point.

But after rethinking this I realize that it would be a bad idea since Subaru head gaskets leak .like sieves:brow:

I'll stay with 16 lbs. Don't wanna look for trouble.

Which model Subaru do you have? I could be wrong here but I thought that the OEM radiator caps open at 13 PSI.

slightly off topic, but cooling related.

 

i have noticed that some after market t-stats are 170* and some are 195*?. is there a good or bad to either one of these? what is the stock T-stat?

 

my inclination would be to use the lower temp, 170*, unit for a lower temp engine. this is clearly a reaction to ej25s over heating. but i'm wondering , does the ECU care if the engine coolant is 170 vs. 195.

 

generally speaking, this is just a theoretical discussion since i would only install an after market item if i could not source a subaru t-stat. as a matter of fact, i have two good used after market ones on my work bench right now, one of each, but i'll be buying a subaru stat in the morning. (this assumes you can use the word good in the same sentence with aftermarket t-stat.)

 

i was just curious .

 

sorry for the hi-jack.

Edited October 7, 201114 yr by johnceggleston