Coolant cap stuck

[JohnFinx]

What is the trick on getting the coolant cap off? It only turns a quarter turn and won't move any further. Does it screw off all the way, or is it a half turn and pull up? Mine doesn't move in any direction after the quarter turn other than back closed....

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[JohnFinx]

Thanks. I thought it was more like a XJ coolant cap that just screwed off. But I did try the half turn and pull, but it still didn't budge. I'll try again tomorrow, the engine is hot now.

 

[JTBurns]

You should be able to push and twist til it comes off. It's more than 1/2 a turn

 

[Maximus Gladius]

No pushing for me. It’s a normal screw top that takes several turns to come off the bottle. The 1/4 turn type are the ones I remember right on the top corner or middle of the rad which are metal or aluminum which the JT doesn’t have.

You’re talking about the screw cap on the coolant bottle, right?

 

[Commodus]

What is the trick on getting the coolant cap off? It only turns a quarter turn and won't move any further. Does it screw off all the way, or is it a half turn and pull up? Mine doesn't move in any direction after the quarter turn other than back closed....

My cap screws off like any bottle cap but I did find the first time I removed the cap it did take some effort to remove. And be aware it is very easy to cross thread going back on

 

[JohnFinx]

No pushing for me. It’s a normal screw top that takes several turns to come off the bottle. The 1/4 turn type are the ones I remember right on the top corner or middle of the rad which are metal or aluminum which the JT doesn’t have.

You’re talking about the screw cap on the coolant bottle, right?

Yes. That cap.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

I was also thinking the cap may be cross threaded like Commodus mentioned. Does it still maintain a seal? What is your plan? Do you think this was done during a service and cap was put on wrong?

What is the availability of a new one?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I was also thinking the cap may be cross threaded like Commodus mentioned. Does it still maintain a seal? What is your plan? Do you think this was done during a service and cap was put on wrong?

What is the availability of a new one?

If it was hot he shouldn't have tried.
Likely it's not cross-threaded, but just like mine, first time off was difficult, it was tight. And with temperature extremes, plastic caps can be tricky.
A bit of a silicon lube on the threads can't hurt.

Best to not mess with it when hot - besides, you should only really fill them cold, to the cold level.

 

[JohnFinx]

No, I tried it with the engine cold. I know better.
My coolant level is a little low, and as only used 3 of my 4 free oil changes, I doubt anyone has ever removed it to top it off, or it wouldn't be low.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Both of my Gladiators have been just about at the seam in the tank, or a touch below, depending on ambient temperatures.
This is how mine look cold - not low.

 

[Lunentucker]

Correction to my earlier reply.
Honestly it's the first time I've ever taken it off.

 

[bd100]

Both of my Gladiators have been just about at the seam in the tank, or a touch below, depending on ambient temperatures.
This is how mine look cold - not low.

The min/max markings on the side of the tank seem to say that the minimum level is the seam itself, so wouldn't yours be low? Mine is similar.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The min/max markings on the side of the tank seem to say that the minimum level is the seam itself, so wouldn't yours be low? Mine is similar.

I do need to take another look. I noticed on that day it was at the seam in the front and the other day it was at the seam on the passenger side but below on the left. LOL - proof my garage floor isn't level?
I'm waiting for the ambient temperature around here to get back into the upper 50s to check again. It may actually be low looking at that pic.

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