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Ok, everybody stop. Just stop.
Put your degrees back in your pants. Jeeeeezus!
Ideal gas law? Are you shitting me?
Are there people here that know better and are just watching this slow train-wreck?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When it works~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The cooling system is a CLOSED system.
In normal operation there is NO PHASE CHANGE.
In normal operation the LIQUID coolant expands a little until it reaches a specific pressure. Then, at a constant elevated pressure, continues to expand through the high-pressure check valve into the reservoir until the engine reaches operating temperature.
When it cools down, as the LIQUID contracts, it sucks liquid back through a much weaker check valve.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When it's broken~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now, assume your radiator cap has even a tiny leak in the big check valve. Big problem.
Eventually, pressure bleeds down to the point at which the solution will boil at engine operating temperature...
...and, like a pressure cooker will continue to BURP VAPOR into the reservoir at a rate relative to the size of the leak and the engine operating temperature. From there, it will escape out the little hole in the top.
Ok, so, forgive me if someone already mentioned or implied it, not only must the system reach a certain pressure, it must hold it.
Any questions? I'm here all night. If I don't know, I will admit it.
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