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Old 05-23-2026, 03:30 PM   #1
jeepguy1948
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Default Radiator Cap Vented?

Is the ‘30 radiator supposed to be vented? Mine is not vented. If it’s a non pressurized system I would think that the cap needed to be vented. After finding that I had repop Gas Cap with a non functioning vent I decided that I better check about the Radiator Cap as well.
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Old 05-23-2026, 03:33 PM   #2
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Default Re: Radiator Cap Vented?

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Originally Posted by jeepguy1948 View Post
Is the ‘30 radiator supposed to be vented? Mine is not vented. If it’s a non pressurized system I would think that the cap needed to be vented. After finding that I had repop Gas Cap with a non functioning vent I decided that I better check about the Radiator Cap as well.
No, no vent in the radiator cap. The radiator is vented via the overflow tube.
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Old 05-23-2026, 03:38 PM   #3
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Default Re: Radiator Cap Vented?

Thanks Blockhead.
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Old 05-23-2026, 08:04 PM   #4
katy
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Default Re: Radiator Cap Vented?

The cooling system is vented through the radiator overflow tube.
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Old 05-24-2026, 04:12 AM   #5
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Default Re: Radiator Cap Vented?

It is vented via the overflow tube!
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Old 05-24-2026, 11:13 AM   #6
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Default Re: Radiator Cap Vented?

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
No, no vent in the radiator cap. The radiator is vented via the overflow tube.
Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
The cooling system is vented through the radiator overflow tube.
Quote:
Originally Posted by German guy View Post
It is vented via the overflow tube!
I agree with all of these answers!
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Old 05-24-2026, 11:22 AM   #7
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: Radiator Cap Vented?

The radiator and gas tank caps look alike between the years 1928-29 and 1930-31 respectively. But - they are different internally. The gas cap IS vented, while the radiator cap is not, as others have posted. It wouldn't hurt anything to run a vented gas cap on the radiator (although you might get some "weeping" coolant droplets from underneath), but you cannot run a radiator cap on the gas tank. Because the fuel system in a Model A relies upon gravity, it must a source of fresh air intake somewhere to allow nature's gravity to make the gasoline flow to the carburetor. If that air intake source is closed off (via an unvented or clogged vented cap), insufficient fuel will reach the carb and the engine will act like it is running out of gas - which it is. There will be enough of a fuel trickle to keep the engine idling, but will peter out as power demands are required.
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Old 05-25-2026, 07:31 AM   #8
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Default Re: Radiator Cap Vented?

Good reminder Marshall,
Had a Gas Cap vent plug up 30 miles from home and remembered what I had read on a Forum about that possibility. I loosened the cap and watched it jiggle as I drove the rest of the way home.
I then drilled a couple of extra vent holes in the interior part of the cap. All was well. Chap
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