Coolant pressure test
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Coolant pressure test
OK I did a coolant pressure test today and results were good showing no leaks. Borrowed my buddies Snap On tester and the process was simple. I also found out that my pressure cap is 14PSI and it is a FORD cap. I did not completely follow the procedure which requires you to fill the tank to the top to get all of the air out of the system but it didn't seem to matter. I pumped it up to 15 psi and left it for 2 hours and gauge may have moved a hair but everything looks good.
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From: Naperville, Illinois USA
So I bought one, shortly after this post. Tried it out today, as I've been getting whiffs of coolant occasionally after driving.
Not knowing what a 'safe' value was, I pumped it up to 14PSI, and waited awhile. It dropped down to 13PSI, and I could smell faint coolant. I searched as thoroughly as I could, but found no leaks, and it seemed to be holding at 13PSI.
I looked at the cap, and saw it was labeled 120 Kpa, which I found out to be about 17.4PSI.
So I pumped it up to 15PSI, and let it sit. It stayed constant for an hour, and I didn't smell any coolant.
So not sure what's going on. I'll try again in a few weeks and see if there's any change. Maybe it's the reservoir cap, but I'll need to get an adaptor to test it.
Not knowing what a 'safe' value was, I pumped it up to 14PSI, and waited awhile. It dropped down to 13PSI, and I could smell faint coolant. I searched as thoroughly as I could, but found no leaks, and it seemed to be holding at 13PSI.
I looked at the cap, and saw it was labeled 120 Kpa, which I found out to be about 17.4PSI.
So I pumped it up to 15PSI, and let it sit. It stayed constant for an hour, and I didn't smell any coolant.
So not sure what's going on. I'll try again in a few weeks and see if there's any change. Maybe it's the reservoir cap, but I'll need to get an adaptor to test it.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: CC IOWA
I need to do this as well, how much was the tester?
I upgraded my intercooler pump, did new temp sensors, and new thermostat this winter so I need to do this test to make sure I have no leaks as well. Thanks for the post
I upgraded my intercooler pump, did new temp sensors, and new thermostat this winter so I need to do this test to make sure I have no leaks as well. Thanks for the post
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 505
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From: CC IOWA
I went and got the tester from Advance Auto today. Was about 112$ with the Ford/GM adapter.
Anyway, I pumped mine up to 17psi and immediately found a leak coming from the little bleeder screw on top of the reservoir. So far haven't found any other leaks.
Anyway, I pumped mine up to 17psi and immediately found a leak coming from the little bleeder screw on top of the reservoir. So far haven't found any other leaks.
Last edited by bigdhenderson; May 2, 2016 at 12:51 PM.
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From: Naperville, Illinois USA
Took awhile to recall where I bought it, but found that I got mine on jet.com for $90 for a Stant guage and the adapter. Would have been more, but I had a 20% off coupon at the time.
Rather than buying another adapter to test the cap, maybe I'll just pop for $10 to get a new cap.
Rather than buying another adapter to test the cap, maybe I'll just pop for $10 to get a new cap.
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