Rad. Cap won't seal *2 new caps*

[TheUser]

My rad cap appears to be leaking; I drive the car and end up w/ coolant on my battery, running out from the headlights and under the hood. I've used 3 different caps, 2 brand new pressure release caps from autozone, and then the stock-style cap from my 90 LX. I'm getting the correct 16 lb cap, and I don't understand this. You can push the cap down a fraction and kinda see that the little tabs on the rad. that hold the cap sealed won't hold it down that far.

Shouldn't the cap be as far down as possible?

The coolant isn't sucking from the overflow to the rad, but if the cap isn't tight enough...that's prob. why. Anyone else ever had this problem? What can I do to fix it besides buy a new radiator?

 

[dastang2]

maybe a warped radiator neck.

 

[HISSIN50]

yep, sounds like your rad neck is outta whack. stick a machine edge and a caliper on it - i bet you might see some funkiness.

if you want (and the rad is otherwise alright), call a rad shop and see what they charge to fix it. i might not bother - if the neck is like that, how good a shape can the rest of it be in?

good luck bud.