Your car is your second biggest financial investment. Car notes of $300 and up are not un-common.

So who needs large repair bills...and the monthly car note. Or large repair bills...on top of the ridiculus prices we pay for gas.

I have been a mechanic for over forty years, and one of the biggest mistakes I see car owners make is...not changing their Radiator Cap. When you get a Tune Up change your radiator cap. [At least once every year.]

Let me share some recent, horror stories with you.

A client with a 2003, Cadillac Sedan DE Ville, at first the car was just running hot. The Coolant Level Sensor, would flash, warning of the low coolant level, and the client would just poor water in to the reservoir.

The constant over heating caused by the car's loss of fluid eventually caused the following damage: the alternator, and the water pump bearings, went out. Both components had to be replaced.

One of the cylinders cracked, no doubt while cold water was being pored into an over heated engine. Ceramic stop leak worked for a while but eventually the motor had to be replaced; at a cost of $3500.00 plus $1500.00 labor.

The radiator was also replaced. Six months later the same symptoms started again. Turns out, it was the radiator cap that caused all the previous problems and it was not replaced when the new radiator was installed.

Next, a young lady comes in for a tune up. in Newer Cars, a tune up is just changing the spark plugs, PCV, valve, air filter, and oil change if needed. Upon inspection I find the spake plugs, are white on the tips. this indicates an efficient burn during combustion.

So why does she need a tune up? When I check the Coolant level, I see the Radiator Cap, looks like rats have been chewing on it. The moisture from steam escaping into the engine compartment was interfering with the electrical connection between the spark plugs and the spark plug wires.

This made the car run sluggish and jerk when ever the temperature was higher than 195. It also kept the cooling fans form running properly, because it didn't allow pressure to build up in the cooling system.

Last one...client comes in his cooling fan is not kicking in. Once again moisture escaping, caused by a bad radiator cap is effecting the male and female electrical connectors.

Radiator Caps cost; on average $3-$8 and are a very small price to pay, once a year to prevent destroying a good automobile engine and loosing your second largest investment.

Suggestion: as soon as you finish reading this Hub, check your Radiator Cap. if the rubber seals have indentations in them, replace your radiator cap.

If your radiator cap has not been change for over two years, do it now. Even if you own a 2006 model automobile if it hasn't been done change your radiator cap.

Don't wait for the Mechanic to tell you, you need a new alternator or water pump, or engine, change your radiator cap.

Unless you've got deep pockets, and don't mind throwing away your money, you guessed it,........ [ Change Your Radiator Cap.]

Nough said.

Jeromeo