Radiator Cap Orientation

[Bill Lumberg]

Is the gen III radiator cap unidirectional, or can it be installed and used successfully backward. Say a guy reinstalled with the ears still pointing fore and aft, but maybe not so much in the original orientation. Not that that would ever happen. That'd be crazy. But if it did, would it matter? A friend wanted me to ask...

 

[RossKean]

Dammit! Its not Friday!

 

[SLK50]

A "friend" that asks such a question probably shouldn't

be removing radiator caps in the first place. JS

 

[Spud]

Is the gen III radiator cap unidirectional, or can it be installed and used successfully backward. Say a guy reinstalled with the ears still pointing fire and aft, but maybe not so much in the original orientation. Not that that would ever happen. That'd be crazy. But if it did, would it matter? A friend wanted me to ask...

I think it's on wrong. If the cooling system is functioning properly, there should be no visible fire.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Still fizzling coolant somewhere. Just trying to track down cause without continuing threads on the half-year long warranty saga I've shared regarding Yamaha, and the selling dealer/shop. I just want to be a regular guy with a silly old coolant problem. Work with me here.

 

[Fred W]

Pretty sure the cap is ambidextrous and can be put on 180 degrees rotated. Easiest way to know for sure is to yank it off and try it to see if it rotates on differently or further. It isn't that hard to get at.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

I had already removed/replaced it before. Still smelling coolant and losing a little bit. Noticed that the markings on the ears were reversed from the pic I took prior to removal. I checked it/switched it today to see if perishes it wasn't seated just right or wasn't right enough. On the bright side, I'm fairly proficient at accessing the radiator opening and the overflow jug now. If this doesn't work, going to try a new cap.

 

[RossKean]

Just checking, Bill. Although I'm pretty sure you are putting the cap on correctly, I'm going to ask whether you are SURE that it is all the way on? When you install the cap, the keyways are aligned and it will turn (easily) maybe 90°. You then sort of push down and it goes another 90° or so to a hard stop. (At least as far as I can remember) Whatever the degrees of rotation, it is a two step process to a hard stop.

 

[Bounce]

Flat part goes up. Springy part goes down.

 

[rbentnail]

Is the ... cap unidirectional, ...not so much in the original orientation.... be crazy. But if it did, would it matter? A "friend" wanted me to ask...

Your "friend's" orientation really depends on what state you're in at the time. Here in NC we're not so liberal about deviating from your "original orientation" as other states, i.e., "Sweet Peach" Georgia, might be.

 

[Constant Mesh]

Two installation options. Choose that option where the labeling is easy to read when installed.

"Danger"

"Never open when hot"

Pressure Rating 1.1 ??

Take you cap to the dealer and have them pressure test it.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Removed and replaced. Topped off coolant. Not necessarily in that order. Will monitor. No smell of coolant, overheat, or loss of coolant during today's 2+ hour run. I'll mark that as a win.

 

[Fred W]

I think we are supposed to call them "Asian" now, as Orientation is no longer politically correct

 

[RossKean]

I think we are supposed to call them "Asian" now, as Orientation is no longer politically correct

That's really bad, Fred.

 

[Fred W]

I'm a bad man, or so I've been told.

 

[Bounce]

We got it, Uncle Hud.

We let it slide even though it danced on the knife edge of political. I'd ask what it looked like from the wrong side of that line, but I don't think anyone cares other than to hope you step back and no one else steps over.

No warns or anything other than hiding the political comment took place in the filming of this public reminder.

 

[Klubis]

I'm thinking all radiator caps are ambidextrous and can be installed 180 degrees out, but if your radiator cap ears are 90 degrees out, I'm thinking its only half installed.

 

[240z]

I' m pretty sure the radiator caps are Bi-sexual...........they can go either way.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

The oem replacement doesn't have the same "ears" on it. Holes instead of designs. Weird.