Is it bad to open the coolant reservoir when the engine is hot (i.e. parked about 15 minutes ago?)

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Jul 23, 2003 | 07:21 PM

#21

~~RA121125~~

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Exactly why I did it slowly. No harm, no foul! Thanks guys for all the answers.

Jul 23, 2003 | 08:17 PM

#22

moribundman

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The expansion tank is pressurized and the cap vents at 1.2-1.5 bar

Jul 23, 2003 | 08:23 PM

#23

BIG NIPPER

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One of my first cars always overheated, I popped the hood and before I could open the reservoir cap.

it literally exploded. Very dangerous to say the least. Glad I wasn't too close to it. Scared the **** out of me!

Jul 23, 2003 | 08:26 PM

#24

paul_858

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thanks for the info =)

Jul 23, 2003 | 08:49 PM

#25

moribundman

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No problem!

Just don't make me convert bar to psi. ;-)

Jul 23, 2003 | 09:15 PM

#26

WYSIWYG

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you'll just lose a lot of coolant (if your temps are so high, higher than normal)

i do not think anyone in the right state of mind will unscrew that cap fast enough for it to explode - another safety eng'g consideration. it has a design in it to spit out all that pressure to the bottom of the tank. if you turn the cap slow you will find a point where it will only put out steam