I have a 99 S-10, I just flushed the cooling system because the Dex-Cool went sour. I was told this happened because of the cheap radiator cap that came stock. Someone on here said to use the stant 10230. I can't seem to find that one in the stores, so I'm using the 11231. There is also a 11230. Am I going to be ok by using the 11231, or should I find a 10230? What is the difference between them?
Which cap to use on GM with Dex-Cool???
- Thread starter JetSnake
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I wonder if the cheaper one doesn't have a rubber gasket where it seats on the radiator. But my more likely suggestion is that the other one has a lever which relieves the pressure. If the difference is this lever-pass on it.
Seriously though. I replace caps every couple of years. Its good cheap insurance.
Seriously though. I replace caps every couple of years. Its good cheap insurance.
This may help
Will go look for other article with pics
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/dexcool-johnbrunner.htm
Will go look for other article with pics
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/dexcool-johnbrunner.htm
Ahhhhh....
Found the critter
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/dexcool-macs2001.htm
Other articles here
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/index.html
There's .pdf file about DexCool in there also. Saved it awhile back but didn't see anything critical in it.
Found the critter
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/dexcool-macs2001.htm
Other articles here
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/index.html
There's .pdf file about DexCool in there also. Saved it awhile back but didn't see anything critical in it.
I went through the same choice with a 3.1 V6 GM
and finally called Stant. The customer service operator transferred me to an engineer and he said the 10230 would work OK. I'm no expert on this so I was just looking for - no harm opinion before I switched.
and finally called Stant. The customer service operator transferred me to an engineer and he said the 10230 would work OK. I'm no expert on this so I was just looking for - no harm opinion before I switched.
The key still is to check your coolant level in the radiator say every month or so. At the same time the inner poppet check valve should be cleaned up a bit. I usually just run my finger all around it on the seating surface.
JHZR2
Staff member
hmmm... I encountered the similar thing a while back. I believe the solutin I found to be the best was to use the 11230, IIRC.
JMH
JMH
OK, I put on the stant 10230. With close inspection between the 11231 and the 10230, the only difference I can find is the valve on the 10230 that lets the coolant flow from the overflow tank back to the radiator is slightly spring loaded so the radiator would have to create a little vacuum to over come the spring before it could pull the coolant in. The 11231 does not have this spring.
I wonder what difference it would make?
I wonder what difference it would make?
How come?
As long as the cap is clean internally and the rubber seal is in good condition, there isn't much reason to. A bad seal can leak air into the system, which is particularly bad with the a certain GM coolant.quote:
Originally posted by schwartr88:
How come?
If the seal swells and sticks, it can prevent the cap from relieving pressure when it needs to. That can bust your cooling system open.
I just do it. Every time you run the car the cap lifts to relieve the coolant it constantly cycles in response to radiator temps. For a couple of bucks what the hey. I usually change radiator hoses ever 3 years or so and just do it at the same time.quote:
Originally posted by schwartr88:
How come?
One thing I noticed it my 2002 sonoma rad cap is 15 psi. The stant replacement 10230 is a 16 psi. I dont know if its going to make a difference or not.
One note on the caps: on the back of the 11230 package it says it will work for the 10230 application. I picked one up since my truck is starting to idle at a higher than normal temp, and it seemed to help.
On my 1988 Mustang GT, the cooling system sometimes wouldn't pressurize.
Using the cap with the spring-loaded valve fixed that problem.
My understanding is that the ones without the spring-loaded valve make it easier for any air to exit the system.
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