The infamous resevoir cap pop

[Loanranger]

So is there any way around having the cap pop and make a mess when you try to steer a ford with the engine not running?

[Sunk]

Yeah... I wanna know too, hell mine does it when its running. Or, it did when the power steering worked.

[MAKG]

So is there any way around having the cap pop and make a mess when you try to steer a ford with the engine not running?

Yes. Take your time.

Remove the cap and turn the steering through the window so you can see the level. Pause when it gets high.

[Loanranger]

Yes. Take your time.

Remove the cap and turn the steering through the window so you can see the level. Pause when it gets high.

Is this the only way? The reason I'm wondering, is because the other night I was running low on gas, the closest gas station was uphill. And almost at the top, It died. I knew if I got it on the level I could get the pump primed and make it to the top. So I let it roll back, on the shoulder, and turned into the side street to my right. Well, sure enough, it was enough to get it started and make it up to the top of the hill to the gas station, but when I rolled it back and turned, I popped the cap and made a big mess. Other instances I could think of would be being towed up a trail if something breaks out wheeling, or something of that nature. It would just be nice for it to not do this.

[MAKG]

Well, the obvious solution to that one is to fix your fuel gauge and fill the tank when it gets to 1/4 tank.

[Totalled]

Use the starter to turn the motor...

[Wicked_Sludge]

Use the starter to turn the motor...

ya...if youd rather replace starters and solenoids instead of cleaning up some spilled atf.

my cap kept popping off during normal driving (system was at the proper level)...so i replaced the o-ring on the cap with a much fatter one. i have to use pliers to install/remove the cap now...but it doesnt pop off when i turn the wheels with the motor off. it does sometimes shoot a little fluid out of the little vent hole in the cap.

[Loanranger]

ya...if youd rather replace starters and solenoids instead of cleaning up some spilled atf.

my cap kept popping off during normal driving (system was at the proper level)...so i replaced the o-ring on the cap with a much fatter one. i have to use pliers to install/remove the cap now...but it doesnt pop off when i turn the wheels with the motor off. it does sometimes shoot a little fluid out of the little vent hole in the cap.

yeah the starter thing doesn't sound like a good idea, but I might have to try the O-ring thing.

[choped84]

my cap pops off about 7000 rpm when i'm mud racing. It makes a mess so i made an adapter and clamped a hose to it and ran the hose to a recovery bottle

[Loanranger]

my cap pops off about 7000 rpm when i'm mud racing. It makes a mess so i made an adapter and clamped a hose to it and ran the hose to a recovery bottle

Any pics?

[onimitsu]

well what I did is take a big hose clamp and put it on the cap so it would not blow off. so far it works great it is just a pain when I want to check my fluid, but I would much rather have the hose clamp on there then ATF all over.

[Totalled]

ya...if youd rather replace starters and solenoids instead of cleaning up some spilled atf.


Yeah, no. It only takes a few revolutions of the motor to suck the reservoir level back down.

[HRTKD]

I did a search of the forum for the popping cap issue and this thread came up. I thought that I just wasn't putting it on right or maybe the cap was bad. Apparently not. So the only solutions are to put in an O-ring, use something else to secure the cap in place or add a vent hose? That's it? So what is causing the problem in the first place?

[exbass94]

I did a search of the forum for the popping cap issue and this thread came up. I thought that I just wasn't putting it on right or maybe the cap was bad. Apparently not. So the only solutions are to put in an O-ring, use something else to secure the cap in place or add a vent hose? That's it? So what is causing the problem in the first place?

Are you overfilling it? I've never had this problem.

[HRTKD]

I don't think I'm overfilling it. Given that it keeps popping off and blowing out fluid I kind of doubt it's ever going to be too full. I removed and replaced the fluid a few months ago and I was pretty careful to fill it to the cold level.

The fact that I do tend to turn the steering wheel while the engine isn't running could be the cause. But why?

[legoms013]

Mine does it too, very annoying to blow powersteering fluid all over...then when the dirt sticks everything is ugly lol :dunno:

[HRTKD]

I cranked on the steering without the engine running (from center to about 3/4 left turn) and the cap stayed in place. I then started the engine and the cap didn't move then either. I dunno what's going on. The dribbles in the street are getting noticable.

[59bisquik]

Mine has done this when flat towing it... I have always thought of adding a breather hose and catch can, but never thought of the O-ring.

Wonder if this will be an issue when swapping over to the Saginaw pump or if its stock style specific??

[fix_or_repair_daily]

Must be an older Ford thing. My 86 mid size LTD would be fine for months, then it would out of no where barf all or most of the PS fluid at the insulation on it inside of the hood sometimes taking the cap with it, very annoying.

Josh