anyone have a grassroots alternative for a cooling system pressure testing tool? maybe using a mityvac or ??? just curious, ive been meaning to pick up a tester, but at $70+ seems there has to be a home brew solution?
anyone have a grassroots alternative for a cooling system pressure testing tool? maybe using a mityvac or ??? just curious, ive been meaning to pick up a tester, but at $70+ seems there has to be a home brew solution?
Our local AutoZone loans them out with a $70 deposit.
Why not take a bicycle innertube and cut it up. Seal one end, and clamp the other end tightly around the rad filler neck. Now "fill" the tube with air, to about 15 psi, or just a bit more.
go to autozone, ask to "rent" the coolant system tester, pay your 30 bucks or whatever, take it home, use it, take it back to autozone, get your money back
???
profit
Strizzo wrote: go to autozone, ask to "rent" the coolant system tester, pay your 30 bucks or whatever, take it home, use it, take it back to autozone, get your money back ??? profit
I'd swear I've heard that one before.
Certain auto parts chains will rent automotive repair equipment. Some sort of "zone" for cars.
Wait, I have a completely different approach to this problem. Last week I went to Advance Autoparts and rented a tester. Found leaks in two cars. Very worth the $0 spent.
But seriously, all a tester does is provide a way to introduced pressurized air into the system. You could take an old radiator cap, remove the spring mechanism, drill the top out and thread in a brass fitting, maybe JB Weld it in there? Hook it up to your compressor via a valve or even a tire chuck, anything that lets you meter the air going in. Get fancy and put a T fitting on there with a gauge if you want. I wouldn't pressurize the system by more than 15-20 psi though (check your radiator cap, it should specify the operating pressure in bars).
Edit: You'll want a way to relieve the pressure gradually. Suddenly disconnecting from the pressure source will result in a violent eruption of coolant in your face.
Armitage wrote: Wait, I have a completely different approach to this problem. Last week I went to *Advance Autoparts* and rented a tester. Found leaks in two cars. Very worth the $0 spent. But seriously, all a tester does is provide a way to introduced pressurized air into the system. You could take an old radiator cap, remove the spring mechanism, drill the top out and thread in a brass fitting, maybe JB Weld it in there? Hook it up to your compressor via a valve or even a tire chuck, anything that lets you meter the air going in. Get fancy and put a T fitting on there with a gauge if you want. I wouldn't pressurize the system by more than 15-20 psi though (check your radiator cap, it should specify the operating pressure in bars). Edit: You'll want a way to relieve the pressure gradually. Suddenly disconnecting from the pressure source will result in a violent eruption of coolant in your face.
now thats more along the lines of what i was looking for! Thanks! The inner tube idea is interesting as well, ill have to experiment a bit...
I dont like to borrow, or rent tools if i can avoid it, and if it in my tool box, ill use it, if i have to get it..not so much.. I have an AZ a few blocks away, but that place is full of idiots, and i refuse to go there, ever, ever again. but i will go to the next closest AZ, just a much longer drive..
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