Peugeot 408 Radiator Caps

AfricaBoyz lists the RC1226 Peugeot-Citroen cap at R149.99. Sparesboyz, Start My Car and AutoZone SA all carry alternatives. Fitted is a two-minute job, so budget well under R250 all in.

Rising temperature gauge, hissing from the coolant tank, steam from the bonnet, and coolant drops with no visible hose leak are the usual signs. Always replace the cap before stripping hoses or the radiator itself.

Yes. A cap that cannot hold full system pressure drops the coolant boiling point, so fluid steams away at the expansion tank in traffic. The needle climbs fast and the engine risks head-gasket damage within minutes.

Fit a new cap with every major coolant change, or every four years. At around R150, it is cheap insurance against an overheating bill that can reach R30,000 on a Peugeot 1.6 HDi or THP engine with head damage.

The rubber seal inside the cap has hardened and lost grip, or the spring has weakened. A cracked expansion tank neck does the same. Always replace the cap first, because it is the cheapest part to rule out.