Good work Tom!!

 

Thanks/ On wonders why the tear on an edge/corner that gets not pressure and does not rub on anything?? Any ideas? Surely the pressure inside is not that great.

Tom

 

Could oil somehow collect inside that chamber and soften the plastic? Not sure how it could get there, though. Maybe some minor backflow from the crankcase ventilation system when decelerating?

All three examples seen in the forum had damage at the same corner. Doesn’t that corner sit lower, so any liquid would collect there?

Where is the damage in relation to the radiator? Other heat sources? If close, maybe heat is the factor damaging the plastic.

 

It appears to be, especially in Rick's case the be an outward tear, rip, minor explosion(?). Mine was bone dry- no liquid of any sort in the area. It is close to the radiator, but not that close.. Just strange and I assue a manufacturing flaw.. But it did last all these years.

Tom