Caution with plastic radiator cap or cooling system caps

[Woodchukka]

I serviced the wife's VZ (AlloyTec engine) and I pulled the cooling system pressure cap on the engine off to check the condition of the seal and it flew apart. Shot the seal assembly and the spring right over my shoulder and after then bouncing off the wall they ended up going quite a way. As can be seen in the (crappy) picture the barbs that should be on the end of the caps centre shaft broke off once it had to take the pressure of the spring. While it might take an eye out copping it and some coolant in the eye would not have been real comfortable. Food for thought if you have plastic components holding pressure they are constantly in a harsh environment that could affect the plastics integrity.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa454/Woodchukka/Cap01.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa454/Woodchukka/Cap02.jpg