Does anyone else find this mans voice super soothing lol

After watching this video I went to check the rad cap on BOTH my 2011 4runner, and 2004 GX470 Both caps were broken just like this video!! Thank you so much for posting! Now I have to order new caps for both.

The Toyota Matrix I used to have, the radiator cap disintegrated and the spring fell into the radiator. I had to take a hook attached to some string to fish it out.

This is invaluable information! That’s one expensive small piece of broken plastic. Insane.

I change my cap on my 2000 3rz every 3-5 years. As cheap as they are, it gives me peace of mind. I agree, it's a very overlooked maintenance item, but one of the most important ones.

I just found this happened with my 2008 Toyota Sienna LE today. Exactly what you said and thank you for your videos!!!!

Wow, that's insane! I'll have to remember that next time I change the coolant on my Tacoma.

Bingo, I had this happen to me a year ago on my Tacoma...I had to take it all apart and then I found the rest of the cap spring and such...so for now on I change out the cap every year for a new one...and even then I run across a faulty cap...so buy spares and keep your receipts...

This occurred to a VW my good friend was servicing at his garage. Apparently, it damaged the plastic impeller on the water pump and sent plastic bits throughout the engine cooling system. Moral of the story: Change your thermostats and radiator caps every 5 years according to his radiator repair shop. Stick with the OE parts.

I appreciate the heads up! I’m sure this will help many for when they remove the radiator cap to make sure they whole cap and everything is there before proceeding and causing issues. As always thanks for the videos! I know you help so many with your knowledge and how to on working on and servicing vehicles.

Same exact thing happened to my wife’s 2013 Honda Civic. The original cap is made by denso. I never could get the piece out. Luckily, knock on wood, we have not had an overheating issue. Hopefully we never will 🙏🏻

I’m a newbie, I don’t know ANYTHING about cars 🚗 , however I’ve been learning a lot. I just recently had my first car crashed into and the insurance paid me out, unfortunately I had no option at the time but had to buy me a 2009 Toyota Corolla--I had to do some research on the best car models and Toyota Corollas were always recommended. Anyway, the car seemed like in really good working condition and it looks great on the outside. The car didn’t make any strange noises during the test drive, it ran great, the ac worked fine, the turning and acceleration seemed all on point, but what do I know? I’m not a mechanic. Well, the next day I took it to a mechanic and they found a whole BUNCH of stuff wrong with it. The more important stuff from what the mechanic said needed to be replaced was the Radiator, radiator cap, transmission fluid, and serpentine belt. They were willing to do the work but it was sooo much and I couldn’t afford any of it, so I decided to dig into this and I researched how to replace a radiator and cap. So far I see a full radiator for about $90 and a radiator cap for $30, totaling about $120 if I do the work myself opposed to the nasty $800 for a radiator replacement and including the cap! I’ll be literally saving around $680!! If I did the work myself or shop around, but I might be up for trying to do the job my self to save the money. Of course, I still need to do more research like something about draining the fluids or what not. I don’t own any tools, however I have a buddy that does and even a neighbor that might lend me his. Anyway, my point being is, that I had absolutely NO clue that the radiator caps needed to be replaced AT ALL and after watching this video it makes me realize that the radiator cap should be checked and replaced routinely! This should be common knowledge just like how everyone knows to get an oil change or tires rotated or even replaced. That’s something I would have NEVER guessed before I started learning about cars. My goodness, my eyes are now opened, this is the second video I’ve seen where the radiator cap can cause substantial issues with the car if it’s not maintained, luckily it’s a easily fixable and affordable car part. Anyway, I never really put a lot of effort into my first car, but I made a promise that I would maintain this car much better and have been making an effort and I’ve learned quite a bit. thanks for posting this video, it’s helped tremendously! 🙌🏻 I still need to do more research on the serpentine belt and transmission fluid, but that stuff I might just have a mechanic take care of, wish me luck y’all cause times are rough out here. 😂

That's an odd failure. My 34yr old factory cap just failed last year and it was still in one piece. Too much plastic in newer designs. My old one was just metal and rubber.

Excellent Video! Glad you made this one. Just in time to change the coolant in my Toyota. Thanks Brother!!

I had this happen to a customer recently. Melted a 4.7 3UZ-fe. Super unfortunate situation all caused by a crappy aftermarket radiator cap

Awesome brother! Appreciate the info. Just ordered a new cap because mines was leaking.

Thank you Peter, love all your videos 💙

Thanks for the video. Happened to my radiator cap. Replaced cap with Toyota one. No overheating problems. My mechanic says as long as it doesn’t cause any problems, the parts can stay in the radiator for the life of the radiator. The same kind of plastic corrosion happened to the heater tap located on the firewall through which hot coolant flows toward the heater box to warm the interior when needed.

Same thing happen to my 5.7. Mine was stuck near the coolant temp sensor. Overheated intermittently.

I had a '95 4Runner w a 4 cylinder engine: similar problem when the "Genuine Toyota Radiator Cap" rubber gasket fell apart and got stuck somewhere in the radiator. Result - overheating and backflushing would not help. A new radiator and $$$$ solved the problem. I wonder how much Toyota saved with their crappy rubber gasket?

Thanks for the video. I willl check my cap today. I can only imagine what went thru your mind when you found that broken cap in the radiator.

NAPA SELLS RADIATOR CAPS. GOOD ONES TOO

Wow I can't believe I found your video. I have a lexus is300 2004 model and exactly the same thing happened to me just the other day and I had to fish out the spring and plastic washer part after overheating and being stranded on the motorway. The fans wouldn't kick in either so I limped home stopping and topping.up every mile or so. My car is still sitting on my drive waiting for someone to tell me what's wrong. However after watching your video I don't think there is anything else wrong and that I just need to replace the cap and refill and bleed the system. What are the chances of that..thank you for the video and thank Mr Toyota for breaking down and then spreading the word... it's a powerful thing. Peace to all

WOW!?! Just replaced coolant in my 2013 5.7 2 days ago. I never even looked at the cap. I wonder if they’re the same part #? I will definitely be checking in the morning!

That small piece apart from the Spring has gone inside the Radiotor! Please help me to get it out !!!

This needs to be a recall situation as it happens more often then many realize. Cap in video looks like an OEM Denso cap. Remedy to prevent? How often should it be changed to avoid the plastic degradation?

Thank you Peter.

Thank you.

Had this happen to me before. Except the application was different and the spring was not part of the cap like that that broke. The double stacked rubber washers things that dangle at the end disappeared. Months later it clogged something and the whole system finally pressurized and because the hose was stuck to the neck, the whole neck snapped off and the car was bucking and jerking due to the heat. At that point turn on the heat to max to use the mini radiator you still have left since the big one is now disco'd and coasted to the side..

This happened to my 1994 Toyota Corolla. It would usually spit out all the water contained in the over flow reservoir and the radiator after a long drive, took it to many mechanics but never figured it out except in the end there was some part of an old radiator cap that was causing blockage.

This happened to me in my 05 Camry a few years ago i wasn't able to get it all out but i havn't had any issues.

This killed my wife’s Scion xB took out two engines and almost killed my Sequoia. Toyota owners change this part once a year. It’s like $12.

This is also why I remove upper and lower radiator hoses at the radiator and flush / back flush, flush the heater core, etc.... all kinds of weird stuff has appeared on the ground under the car.

I got a 2004 gx470 recently and the radiator cap disintegrated when I removed just like you described 😩

great video.

Partner I found your video accidentally after making frantic search trying to figure out why my Toyota camry radiator cap looked funny when I removed it to change the Anti freeze. After I refilled I tried to fill the engine and I started getting boiling in my Anti freeze reservoir. Engine Temp gauge did not show it was getting overheated but the reservoir kept boiling. I am ordering a new Thermostat and a new radiator cap, but after seeing this video I will need to take the radiator and hoses and try to see if I find the parts within, I never found any debris on ground or inside cap opening. Wish I was that Lucky. It looks like I became a victim of this Radiator cap braking off within. Wish me luck.

My God...I was having intermittent temp rise, stuck a scope down the upper radiator hose...and wouldn't you know...that dog gone piece from the radiator cap sitting right at that intersection.

I had some pink crusties around my radiator cap over the winter and replaced the cap. Glad I did! I’ve flushed the coolant but I’ve never replaced the thermostat. Wondering if I should but with this car I usually take the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it approach. 2006 Camry with only 133k km’s and very well taken care of. Only winter driven one or two years.

"Beautiful white buffalo" lol I love it

There should be an overide when oil or coolant becomes critical .The risk of damage is too great.

This happened to my 2014 Tundra 5.7L and I have changed everything until finding this video.

Petr, Do you ever ask whether we can handle the truth before you give it to us? 🤔

A very common overlooked part of the cooling system. This is pretty common failure with Asian manufactures. Ours failed like this on our Honda CRV. Thankfully the pieces didn't fall down inside the radiator and into the cooling system.

Anything with plastic or rubber needs to be replaced regularly, especially if exposed to heat/cold cycles.

This is beginning to sound like a broken record with Toyota. I have a 2003 4Runner 4.7L and was in the middle of doing routine maintenance. I decided to check the coolant and noticed that the radiator cap had a little resistance. When I took it off, only the spring and a rubber washer was attached to the cap. The bottom portion dropped into the radiator. I managed to recover a warped washer, but had no luck with the remaining parts even after removing both hoses for access. I decided to just replace the radiator, since the engine wasn't running at the time. In the future, I will change out the radiator cap at least once a year.

My radiator cap also fell apart when I was changing the coolant. This video worries me because I had the same thought. I believe I fished everything out, but I still wonder if any tiny piece fell in? Before this video, I was thinking what a small plastic piece can do. Now I'm worried.

Good haircut.....

Well done.

I've never had one fail...except for the cheap Chinese copy I bought from Amazon...always use the dealer/Japanese parts.

Wow, I don't feel so silly for changing my radiator cap last time I serviced the cooling system as a "precautionary measure"!

plastic / rubber isn't what it used to be. this is why i'll replace just about everything i can after 10 years.

WHOA, I just discovered the same thing on my 2000 Corolla, I randomly pulled the cap but had no symptoms such as overheating. I only got the cap and some washer, but knew the grommet and spring at least were missing. I didn't see anything available to fish out with pliers, and thought maybe it broke off when last removed for service. I think I'll look again and probably pull the hoses, I don't think I've had any over heating, I wonder how high up the gauge is considered overheating, I think it has gone past halfway, maybe 3/4, but not 7/8 or pegged.

I had the exact same radiator cap situation on my Acura Tl. The inner spring cap for the overflow tank broke off. Don't know what had caused it to fail.

Seriously one of the most under-rated automotive channels on YT. I bought my wife a 2012 Sienna with the 3.5L and sealed transmission 140k miles recently. It has the sealed transmission and has no issues. Maybe you can answer a question for me?I plan to replace the transmission filter/fluid and add a cooler to protect the transmission soon but have been told I must drain & fill via the pan instead of thru a cooler line hose as I've done in the past. Is this the only way to flush the system or can I do it thru the cooler lines when I add a transmission cooler?

I love videos like this one

2 Toyotas I have purchased had this exact issue. Got them cheap because I see what the problem is when I open the cap when telling the owner i'm checking for a blown head gasket bubbles. They know they have an issue. As soon as I see that missing center section...I know what the problem is.

I'm surprised you didn't try to use the mity vac suction thing you rave about so much about. But I think pliers would be the better way anyway

Must be common. Happened on my sister in law’s 2012 Sequoia 5.7. The truck was losing coolant. I was not able to find the lower part. I assumed it was lost by someone else servicing it. I will need to look further. What happened to Denso quality?

Now I'm worried that the small piece of rubber missing from the gasket on my radiator cap is going to cause issues somewhere down the line, I can only help the metal fins on the water pump chop it up enough where it doesn't become a problem.

50 years, 44 as an ASE master mechanic. I've encountered about 5 ruined engines Toyota and Honda etc. I don't know why they make an otherwise excellent vehicle and use such poor quality radiator caps😢

Happened to me about 6 months ago, I was planning on doing a flush anyway but not that soon. I ended up removing the radiator and the piece fell out. I got it straight away as It happened after I removed the cap.

I have a 2000 Camry with 5SFE Automatic, 250,000 miles. I'm on a third radiator and today after a month, I have realized that my radiator cap may be the real cause of why 1) the first radiator leaked at the bottom after 3 years. 2) the new radiator leaked from the bottom after a weak 3) the replacement of the new radiator, 3rd radiator was fine but this time it blew the hose that goes to the engine. I changed the small pipe that goes to 5SFE engine and put some sealer and went on. Little do I know, it started leaking again, put some more sealer and it leaked again. Removed the sealer completely and put it again but this time, the two inlets that goes out from the water pump to the right of the engine started seeping so the only explanation for all of this could be the radiator cap. I called my mechanic and told him that I think I have found the issue and he said to leave the cap a bit loose and drive the car for a while and see if the leak stops, if it does, I have found the issue and i'm hoping this is it. Oh and more signs of this is the fact that I see seeping on other hoses like the one on driver side that goes to valve cover. Lessons learned: The first thing to check when a hose bursts is the radiator cap.

This video may have saved my truck

Peter, if you buy a nice 85 mm macro lens for your big camera you can use it for these macro videos too. Just switch the lenses then.

Why would they use plastic on a radiator cap with a spring on it? I can understand using plastic caps on the overflow tank.

Only 2001 4Runner I swapped out the radiator cap for a new Stants cap. It didn't open and warped my heads. After swapping heads it still didn't run right so I ended up replacing the entire engine. All for a bad radiator cap.

2004 Honda Pilot has the same style cap and it indeed happened to me but the silver ring also came out separate as well as the bottom rubber and the spring but I luckily got it out (very tiny), now all the new caps I have been trying (Denso included) are not tight enough to the radiator and it leaks around the top seal. Any suggestions? Also, everyone beware of those style caps! 😢

If that was an OEM cap , it's a disgrace . The CEO of Toyota should be told . In general , that's why I don't use no name white box parts . Especially possible counterfeit parts , cheap , online . Maybe an air freshener . However , instead of " springtime scent " , it's bus terminal bathroom odor ! LOL !😄

Hi what is the normal shelf life of the radiator cap? Anyone knows?

what if you cant fish it out? that little plastic piece is in the neck before it goes into the radiator?

Radiator caps are not supposed to last forever. They have a lot of pressure and heat on them

Happened to me on my 1997 Honda Accord.

Peter, where did all the hair go?

👍👍

Just happened to me in my 2007 civic. Sadly… it’s missing so I’m pulling the radiator and turning it upside down.

Defective or poor quality aftermarket ?

Curious if Toyota has a bulletin

Nissan says to change cap every 30K.

This happened to me yesterday. It's fine now, but I know the rubber seal is somewhere in my coolant system

Just happened on my Subaru

Is this radiator cap a chinese copy ?

Hapened to me on a camry

Do you think toyota knows that problem !!!!

😯😟🤷🏼‍♀️ ❤❤❤

A leaky one ruined my engine after overheating.

Peter, was this a Toyota radiator cap?

But I put two thumbs up and then it took away the thumbs up I gave you 🤣👍

The radiator, thermostat and hoses should be replaced every 8 to 10 years on Toyota vehicles chuck

Motor aid cap better

That's the problem with you machines always over charging and never know a dam thing above the real problem with vehicle's and do we really need a life story

toyota caps are craps