Radiator cap? coolant leak

Darwins Child

Yes, that's right. What would have happened if that clamp had been just a bit looser and the hose had inconveniently popped right off in Alberta's famous "middle of nowhere" -- for example, half way up some steep mountain hill located half way between Jasper and Lake Louise on the famous Icefields Parkway -- a trip we'd like to take this summer in our fabulous Z?

Considering the reality of what has just happened, I'm now seriously considering whether I should proactively / pre-emptively replace all of the coolant system's OEM spring clamps-- especially the larger ones --- to prevent this possibility. This would not be an expensive or difficult operation and it would completely eliminate both the nagging thought of such a possibility or the any inhibition to "floor it".

Am I being too paranoid?

Spooler

Yes

Jhill

Yes you are absolutely being paranoid. Oem spring clamps are usually much better grade than after market screw type. Also all the other bigger hoses will be using a much more robust spring clamp, the one on the little hose is just the wimpy flat spring steal not like the bigger thicker clamps.

As for your professional tech I can tell you what probably happened being I came from the industry. They usually get paid on a system called flat rate so paid per job. Probably got paid for the inspection saw the coolant and then given no time to diag so just threw a cap at it. Not saying it is right but it is what happens which is why I am a huge opponent of flat rate shops. If tech follows the proper steps then they make no money if they cheat they make more.