I've put 3 radiator caps on my truck in the last 2 years, is this normal?

I've been using Gates brand caps from Rock Auto and i wondered if there was one that would last longer than the Gates brand, i had a Stant brand cap on it before that and and my radiator blew up and caused me all kinds of problems but ever since then I've been using Gates brand and when i start losing coolant out of my tank I just replace the cap but shouldn't they last longer than 6-8 months with them never being taken off? I just check the coolant level in the recovery tank because every time i take the cap off the radiator it's full but after 6-8 months with the Gates brand cap the coolant spews out of the radiator when the truck had been sitting for 2-3 days so that's not normal is it? I tend to think it wouldn't be normal

Added (1). 1988 Ford f-150 xlt lariat, 5.0 engine with AOD transmission

Added (2). oh and when i replace the cap the problem goes away for awhile and i don't lose any coolant for 6-8 months and then i get concerned and replace the cap again

Go to a true radiator shop, not someone that replaces them. Every once in a while, you will need a professional.

Your in the wrong ball field. Radiator caps last forever. It is not the reason for your radiator to blow up, your engine is over heating that is what is pushing the anti freeze out into the reservoir. I'll bet your viscous fan drive is bad. Give the fan blades a spin by hand, if it moves more then one blade the drive is bad. Try it on someone else's car if you need to test me.

Radiator caps DO NOT just wear out all on their own. MOST of them last the life of the vehicle with no problems. There must be some other problem with your cooling system, OR you are not using the correct replacement cap for your radiator.

Rad caps last for years not months. You seem to have a another issue within the cooling system. Start with a flush of the whole system and replace all the hoses even the heater hose in/out ( every hose that connects to the system ) then replace the thermostat - last replace the coolant with added distilled water - if you can't do all this then have a dealer do the work.

Are you sure you're installing them correct. Or you have a leak somewhere

  • Which of the three truck company's last the longest? Ford, Chevy, or GMC? I'm 18 and my dad is getting me my first vehicle and wants me to drive a truck. Here in Texas drivers are a little crazy, lol. He's looking into trucks that are between the 10k-20k range. Which of the three last longest?
  • Vintage Ford Hub Caps? I need help identifying the year of these old Ford hub caps I found. I have looked on the internet but still can't find them.
  • Put water in Radiator and it comes out Oil Dipstick Freeze plugs blew out and starter went out so i replaced everything and fired it up. I was so happy my Red 4x4 Machine was back. Went to put water in the Radiator and water started coming out of oil dipstick… What has happened when it froze last winter? Its a 1987 Ford Ranger 2.9l 4' Lift on 33 12.50 15s
  • I need to put a different engine in my 1982 Ford Ranger Lariat and I don't know what to put in it? It's the biggest engine you could get at the time in those trucks, so it is a v8, I just don't know the exact size. Since the engine is pretty much dead that's in it I was wondering if almost any v8 could go in it's place or if it has any specific engine that has to go it in. Also any good suggestion for a good engine would be great.