Sounded like a shot gun

[Hohopirates]

I finally got my car back on the road and she seemed fine. That lasted around 2 days. I was driving down the 10 freeway and a horrendous bang sound comes from the front of my car. I figured it was a tire, and just about wet myself(I was moving fairly quickly). I whipped off the next offramp and stopped immediately. I popped the hood and was greeted by a brand new upper radiator hose shredded and the insulation on my hood as well. I let it cool down and replaced the hose and coolant. When I started it totally cold back at my house it cranked and started, but when I went to check everything out my upper hose was again already to burst! I think it must be a head gasket and I am just pumping air right into my cooling system. I have had no previous overheatings or oil/coolant loss. If it sounds like a head gasket do I have to yank the motor to get at them? And how much $$$ am I talking. Thanks guys

[Earthworm]

How's your rad cap? It should not be pressurizing that much. Best to leave it half off if you need to drive it.

[triumph1902]

Yeah your radiator cap should not allow that to happen. Change that first.

[Hohopirates]

My cap is new with the PWR radiator I bought last year. I am very frustrated with the car to say the least, it has been a money pit. I understand it is an older car, but I can not even be sure it is going to get me to work and back on a daily basis. The car is very well upkept and maintenanced and it seems like I get nothing in return.

[dcarrb]

Even though the cap is new I'd still try another. A properly functioning radiator cap shouldn't allow that sort of pressure to build in the system. Don't know the pressure rating of the stock cap, but that's what you should use.

dcb