Had this happen to me before. Except the application was different and the spring was not part of the cap like that that broke. The double stacked rubber washers things that dangle at the end disappeared. Months later it clogged something and the whole system finally pressurized and because the hose was stuck to the neck, the whole neck snapped off and the car was bucking and jerking due to the heat. At that point turn on the heat to max to use the mini radiator you still have left since the big one is now disco'd and coasted to the side..
I had a '95 4Runner w a 4 cylinder engine: similar problem when the "Genuine Toyota Radiator Cap" rubber gasket fell apart and got stuck somewhere in the radiator. Result – overheating and backflushing would not help. A new radiator and $$$$ solved the problem. I wonder how much Toyota saved with their crappy rubber gasket?
WOW!?! Just replaced coolant in my 2013 5.7 2 days ago. I never even looked at the cap. I wonder if they’re the same part #? I will definitely be checking in the morning!
Bingo, I had this happen to me a year ago on my Tacoma…I had to take it all apart and then I found the rest of the cap spring and such…so for now on I change out the cap every year for a new one…and even then I run across a faulty cap…so buy spares and keep your receipts…
This occurred to a VW my good friend was servicing at his garage. Apparently, it damaged the plastic impeller on the water pump and sent plastic bits throughout the engine cooling system. Moral of the story: Change your thermostats and radiator caps every 5 years according to his radiator repair shop. Stick with the OE parts.
This needs to be a recall situation as it happens more often then many realize. Cap in video looks like an OEM Denso cap. Remedy to prevent? How often should it be changed to avoid the plastic degradation?
That's an odd failure. My 34yr old factory cap just failed last year and it was still in one piece. Too much plastic in newer designs. My old one was just metal and rubber.
I had some pink crusties around my radiator cap over the winter and replaced the cap. Glad I did!
I’ve flushed the coolant but I’ve never replaced the thermostat. Wondering if I should but with this car I usually take the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it approach. 2006 Camry with only 133k km’s and very well taken care of. Only winter driven one or two years.
Must be common. Happened on my sister in law’s 2012 Sequoia 5.7. The truck was losing coolant. I was not able to find the lower part. I assumed it was lost by someone else servicing it. I will need to look further. What happened to Denso quality?
Seriously one of the most under-rated automotive channels on YT. I bought my wife a 2012 Sienna with the 3.5L and sealed transmission 140k miles recently. It has the sealed transmission and has no issues. Maybe you can answer a question for me?I plan to replace the transmission filter/fluid and add a cooler to protect the transmission soon but have been told I must drain & fill via the pan instead of thru a cooler line hose as I've done in the past. Is this the only way to flush the system or can I do it thru the cooler lines when I add a transmission cooler?
A very common overlooked part of the cooling system. This is pretty common failure with Asian manufactures. Ours failed like this on our Honda CRV. Thankfully the pieces didn't fall down inside the radiator and into the cooling system.
Only 2001 4Runner I swapped out the radiator cap for a new Stants cap. It didn't open and warped my heads. After swapping heads it still didn't run right so I ended up replacing the entire engine. All for a bad radiator cap.
I appreciate the heads up! I’m sure this will help many for when they remove the radiator cap to make sure they whole cap and everything is there before proceeding and causing issues.
As always thanks for the videos! I know you help so many with your knowledge and how to on working on and servicing vehicles.
My radiator cap also fell apart when I was changing the coolant. This video worries me because I had the same thought. I believe I fished everything out, but I still wonder if any tiny piece fell in? Before this video, I was thinking what a small plastic piece can do. Now I'm worried.
Had this happen to me before. Except the application was different and the spring was not part of the cap like that that broke. The double stacked rubber washers things that dangle at the end disappeared. Months later it clogged something and the whole system finally pressurized and because the hose was stuck to the neck, the whole neck snapped off and the car was bucking and jerking due to the heat. At that point turn on the heat to max to use the mini radiator you still have left since the big one is now disco'd and coasted to the side..
Peter, was this a Toyota radiator cap?
Wow, that's insane! I'll have to remember that next time I change the coolant on my Tacoma.
I'm surprised you didn't try to use the mity vac suction thing you rave about so much about. But I think pliers would be the better way anyway
Same thing happen to my 5.7. Mine was stuck near the coolant temp sensor. Overheated intermittently.
toyota caps are craps
That's Crazy Peter 👀, I've had the seal go Bad but never had a radiator cap fall apart on me 😎
If anyone sees a Spam/pornography comment please report it, because it congests the clean comments
Awesome brother! Appreciate the info. Just ordered a new cap because mines was leaking.
I had a '95 4Runner w a 4 cylinder engine: similar problem when the "Genuine Toyota Radiator Cap" rubber gasket fell apart and got stuck somewhere in the radiator. Result – overheating and backflushing would not help. A new radiator and $$$$ solved the problem. I wonder how much Toyota saved with their crappy rubber gasket?
There should be an overide when oil or coolant becomes critical .The risk of damage is too great.
WOW!?! Just replaced coolant in my 2013 5.7 2 days ago. I never even looked at the cap. I wonder if they’re the same part #? I will definitely be checking in the morning!
Bingo, I had this happen to me a year ago on my Tacoma…I had to take it all apart and then I found the rest of the cap spring and such…so for now on I change out the cap every year for a new one…and even then I run across a faulty cap…so buy spares and keep your receipts…
great video.
This occurred to a VW my good friend was servicing at his garage. Apparently, it damaged the plastic impeller on the water pump and sent plastic bits throughout the engine cooling system. Moral of the story: Change your thermostats and radiator caps every 5 years according to his radiator repair shop. Stick with the OE parts.
Radiator caps are not supposed to last forever. They have a lot of pressure and heat on them
Anything with plastic or rubber needs to be replaced regularly, especially if exposed to heat/cold cycles.
This needs to be a recall situation as it happens more often then many realize. Cap in video looks like an OEM Denso cap. Remedy to prevent? How often should it be changed to avoid the plastic degradation?
Nissan says to change cap every 30K.
That's an odd failure. My 34yr old factory cap just failed last year and it was still in one piece. Too much plastic in newer designs. My old one was just metal and rubber.
Thank you.
I had some pink crusties around my radiator cap over the winter and replaced the cap. Glad I did!
I’ve flushed the coolant but I’ve never replaced the thermostat. Wondering if I should but with this car I usually take the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it approach. 2006 Camry with only 133k km’s and very well taken care of. Only winter driven one or two years.
Must be common. Happened on my sister in law’s 2012 Sequoia 5.7. The truck was losing coolant. I was not able to find the lower part. I assumed it was lost by someone else servicing it. I will need to look further. What happened to Denso quality?
How would the piece make it thru the radiator? The passages in the radiator or very, very small.
Hi what is the normal shelf life of the radiator cap? Anyone knows?
Peter, if you buy a nice 85 mm macro lens for your big camera you can use it for these macro videos too. Just switch the lenses then.
👍👍
Is this radiator cap a chinese copy ?
Seriously one of the most under-rated automotive channels on YT. I bought my wife a 2012 Sienna with the 3.5L and sealed transmission 140k miles recently. It has the sealed transmission and has no issues. Maybe you can answer a question for me?I plan to replace the transmission filter/fluid and add a cooler to protect the transmission soon but have been told I must drain & fill via the pan instead of thru a cooler line hose as I've done in the past. Is this the only way to flush the system or can I do it thru the cooler lines when I add a transmission cooler?
Motor aid cap better
😯😟🤷🏼♀️
❤❤❤
A very common overlooked part of the cooling system. This is pretty common failure with Asian manufactures. Ours failed like this on our Honda CRV. Thankfully the pieces didn't fall down inside the radiator and into the cooling system.
Thank you Peter.
Defective or poor quality aftermarket ?
Only 2001 4Runner I swapped out the radiator cap for a new Stants cap. It didn't open and warped my heads. After swapping heads it still didn't run right so I ended up replacing the entire engine. All for a bad radiator cap.
Peter, where did all the hair go?
I've never had one fail…except for the cheap Chinese copy I bought from Amazon…always use the dealer/Japanese parts.
A leaky one ruined my engine after overheating.
This is invaluable information! That’s one expensive small piece of broken plastic. Insane.
I appreciate the heads up! I’m sure this will help many for when they remove the radiator cap to make sure they whole cap and everything is there before proceeding and causing issues.
As always thanks for the videos! I know you help so many with your knowledge and how to on working on and servicing vehicles.
My radiator cap also fell apart when I was changing the coolant. This video worries me because I had the same thought. I believe I fished everything out, but I still wonder if any tiny piece fell in? Before this video, I was thinking what a small plastic piece can do. Now I'm worried.
Curious if Toyota has a bulletin
This killed my wife’s Scion xB took out two engines and almost killed my Sequoia. Toyota owners change this part once a year. It’s like $12.