Coolant leaking from radiator cap

Tiny
MY_DODGE
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
I have been leaking coolant at my radiator cap. This Dodge uses a plastic filler neck that sits above the thermostat. I used 3 different radiator caps, 3 filler necks, 2 thermostats while troubleshooting and still getting leaks; as well using different brands.

Also these leaks start when the thermostat opens but sometimes stops after driving it a bit, but randomly sometimes just continues throughout the drive.

No signs of a blown head gasket. No white smoke, no misfiring, no bubbles in the coolant reservoir or oil. The hose from the reservoir to the filler neck is good, it draws coolant into the system.

Never overheated during this process and no other leaks detected.

Water pump is fairly new, got it replaced during my last timing belt replacement.

Car runs great, no weird sounds and heater works. I also 'burped' the cooling system twice.

Appreciate any insight to my issue.
Monday, April 19th, 2021 AT 8:01 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

I know the caps for the 4 cylinder and v6 are different. Could you be getting the wrong one from the parts store?

Here is the OEM part number. See if it crosses with the one you have.

55116901AA

Other than that, is there any damage to the filler neck? For example, any chips, cuts, or anything that would cause a leak?

Also, you seem knowledgeable, so I feel funny asking. But, is it running hot?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, April 19th, 2021 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
MY_DODGE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Joe. Thanks for the fast response. All 3 filler necks I purchased had no damage to them. Checked them very closely and even measured them to see if any difference between them.

Also one of the caps used was the genuine 55116901AA cap.

Car's operating temperature is good, no overheating.
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Monday, April 19th, 2021 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
Could you take a picture of the leaking area and then with the cap off and post it here please?
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 AT 2:01 AM
Tiny
MY_DODGE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the replies. So I noticed something odd when the car was running. I squeezed the hose that connects the reservoir to the filler neck and noticed it was under a lot of pressure and coolant squirted out of the radiator cap but did not noticed any thing happening in the in the reservoir.

I took the reservoir out and disconnected the hose and noticed it had a ball of goo on the end of the hose that connects to the reservoir. It almost completely clogged the hose maybe 90% so it was enough to let coolant draw from the reservoir back to the engine which is why the tank kept losing coolant, but I think when the car was running and the pressure reversed, the ball of goo got stuck on the inlet/outlet of the reservoir since the aperture was smaller and prevent the pressure from escaping into the reservoir.

Cleaned out the hose and hosed down the reservoir refilled it and so far no leaks.
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
If it was acting as a one way valve that could do it. Goo in a cooling system is a bit of a concern though. You changed a few parts but did you notice anything like the goo in the coolant or elsewhere? Just wondering if a good cooling system flush might be a good thing to do, you don't want anything to block a radiator or heater core.
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 AT 4:05 PM

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