Parts for your 2017 Ford Kuga-Radiator cap

2017 Ford Kuga radiator-cap: what’s actually fitted and what to service

Based on the factory documentation, a traditional radiator cap is not used on the 2017 Ford Kuga. Ford’s cooling system for this model is a sealed, pressurised setup with a remote coolant expansion tank (often called a degas bottle). The pressure cap is fitted to that tank, not to the radiator itself. Technical references that show this arrangement include:

• Ford Workshop Manual (Kuga/Escape 2017), Section 303-03: Engine Cooling — Description and Operation.
• 2017 Ford Kuga Owner’s Manual — Cooling system and safety warnings referencing the coolant reservoir cap.
• Ford service parts catalogues that list a “coolant expansion tank pressure cap” for this vehicle rather than a radiator-mounted cap.

Why there’s no radiator cap on the radiator comes down to system design. The expansion tank is positioned as the high point in the cooling circuit to make filling and deaeration straightforward, while the radiator can be packaged lower under the bonnet without a filler neck. The single pressure cap on the tank regulates system pressure, raises the boiling point, and manages expansion and contraction of coolant as temperatures change. It’s cleaner, safer, and reduces the chance of trapped air compared with older layouts.

For anyone shopping for a “radiator cap” for a 2017 Kuga, the correct part is the coolant expansion tank pressure cap. It does the same job as an old-school radiator cap, just in a different spot. Routine servicing should include a quick look at that cap: check the rubber seals for cracks or flattening, make sure the spring-loaded valve moves freely, and confirm the kPa rating on the cap matches the vehicle spec. If there’s unexplained coolant loss, a persistent coolant smell after shutdown, hoses that collapse as the engine cools, or overflow bottle burping, a weak cap is a common culprit and is cheap to replace.

A few practical notes for owners and workshops alike: never crack the reservoir cap when the engine is hot, wait until it’s fully cool. Wipe the neck clean before refitting so grit can’t compromise the seal. While the cap isn’t typically a scheduled replacement item, swapping it preventatively every few years, or whenever there are sealing doubts, is sensible. Always use a quality cap that meets the original pressure rating and pair it with the correct Ford-approved coolant.

• Where is the radiator cap on a 2017 Ford Kuga?
  There isn’t one on the radiator. The pressure cap is on the coolant expansion (degas) tank, which is the system’s fill and pressure point.
• What pressure rating cap does a 2017 Kuga use?
  Ford specifies a pressurised cap for the expansion tank, the correct rating is marked on the cap and in service data. Many Kuga/Escape models use a cap around 140 kPa (about 20 psi), but the vehicle’s exact spec should be matched via VIN or parts data.
• What are the signs the cap needs replacing?
  Coolant smell after parking, slow coolant loss with no visible leak, hoses that flatten as the engine cools, overheating in traffic, or coolant pushing into the overflow and not returning can all point to a weak or leaking cap.