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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: overdrivegear on June 07, 2010, 06:21:04 pm
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It was recently brought to my attention that I should not use a black expansion tank with my diesel. I did a 1.6 NA swap into a cabriolet (videos here):
1987 VW Cabriolet 1.6 Diesel engine running pt. 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF_e1oen20A#)
1987 VW Cabriolet 1.6 diesel running pt. 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QrsopfQO4I#)
and I just kept the gasser expansion tank and cap. Someone told me that if I keep that black cap, I will run the risk of blowing a head gasket ???
So my questions are, does the color of the expansion cap make a difference and if so what cap should I use? Do these coolant caps actually vent pressure according to their color? I was under the impression that these caps didn't vent pressure at all.
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I installed the later round type tank....
non sensor
GB
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The caps will vent , although only at higher pressures than normal-i.e. when you're overheating, so no, not in a normal fashion. In that case, i don't see why a different cap pressure would make a difference, but i would try to find a definite answer if you're having issues.
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The caps will vent , although only at higher pressures than normal-i.e. when you're overheating, so no, not in a normal fashion. In that case, i don't see why a different cap pressure would make a difference, but i would try to find a definite answer if you're having issues.
I'm not having issues. I just wanted to avoid a noob mistake with the wrong 'cap pressure'. Kinda sounds silly, but then again there is a fair amount of silly business with these Volkswagens and I wouldn't put it past them.
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I'm gonna say .... ol wives tale. ;)
[but reserve the right to be wrong]
Maybe should send this in to MythBusters.
I believe they will vent in the high teens-20'ish, but never seen black or blue listed as gas or diesel specific - or even listed with a psi rating. So figured they were the same other than color of the plastic.
I have both color caps amongst my a1/a2 diesels.
I think the score is 3 black and 2 blue, on my fleet.
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sounds like bumper fluid talk as well, and I like the reservation of right to be wrong, HA!
they pop at extremes, yes, but not aware of color/pressure differences.