Guys,
Im in the middle of my frustrating vacuum hose job and decided to test/change all solenoids on the rat's nest. I did the 12v pressure and vacuum test with the mity vac on all my original solenoids and some of them were leaking, some had broken niples so i just thought, heck i might as well go with new ones all around.
Received a full set of 8 solenoids yesterday and decided to test them all before i put them on. Surprisingly all of them leaked on the 12v pressure/vacuum test. Very slowly but they did leak. They hold on to the pressure/vacuum for about 2 or 3 seconds and then start leaking veryy slowly. Is that expected or am i just **** outta luck like that to buy 8 bad, brand new solenoids?
I need some guidance here.
Appreciate any input.


p.s.: I tested my mityvac and boost gauge setup on my pressure chamber and everything is fine i got no leaks. So i dont know

 

I've heard of people getting new ones that were bad. During testing they should hold pressure or vacuum for longer than 2-3 seconds. When I tested mine (97k miles on them) the ones that leaked like yours got tossed. The ones I kept held pressure/vac for 60 seconds at which point I just disconnected everything and threw them in the "Good" pile.

Steve

 

yeah Ive heard people saying that new ones they got were bad too. But all 8 of them, seriously... Now Ive got 16 solenoids here that i just wish i had a dynamite to finish them off with.. Will someone pleaase tell me im doing something wrong?
You know i was expecting a headache and some trouble before i started doing this, but im starting to regret it at this point.
keep'em coming guys i gotta finish this s.....!
appreciate it.

 

Hey Scamil87,
Can you take a picture of your test set-up? Might help to make sure your doin' right.

Steve

 

Hi! maybe it's your vacuum pump that leak!

Put a plug on it and check if it leak

Eric

 

Fwiw, great thread on how to test solenoids here:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/how-test-your-solenoids-actuators-other-turbo-stuff-802060/

 

here it is
thanks

 

thats the exact page im looking at right now.
and looking at dave disney's videos as well

 

i thought that would be the problem too, but i plugged my mityvac to one of the nipples on the pressure chamber and the boost gauge on the other one and i got no leaks... so im guessing thats out

 

I find it hard to believe all the new solenoids would be bad. Same sort of description that Dave did but at this link is a video at the end of a good and a bad solenoid.

http://rx7.voodoobox.net/howto/solen...oid_check.html

 

Ok, your set-up looks good. Pressure test first....What pressure are you testing too? Remember, these things are designed to operate on a 10 psi car. They can handle more, but the test should be limited to the max that they will be exposed too.

 

They might need to be run first. The solenoid might have factory grease or something that will burn off during use that helps keep it "fresh" while sitting on the shelf.

I'd put 'em on and run 'em. A little heat and a good run in and I'm sure they'll run just fine.

Dale

 

im testing just a little over 10 psi (around 12 or so) and vacuum i only pump up to 25inHg .. i'll try and get a video of the boost gauge to show you guys whats happening too..

 

im starting to consider my battery charge now too. i put it on the charger and it says its only charged to 25% so maybe thats affecting it i dont know.

Now the other question i had, would it work if i plugged the dump port on the solenoid to stop it from leaking? Thus proving that the solenoid is in fact bad? Or is that just a dumb approach to checking it? Cause i did try that and it still leaked. Slowly, veryyy slowly again but it did.

 

gosh i hope youre right Dale, this vacuum hose jobs turning out to be quite the nightmare. It wouldnt be bad at all if that actually is my case.
Thanks bud.

 

When I tested my new solenoids they did not leak like how you are describing.

 

alright i just uploaded the video to youtube, i dont know if it works just yet, and its kinda dark on the dials on the boost gauge to see the readings but its enough to get the idea..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3ZvDsu11mk

let me know what guys make of this ..
appreciate it.

 

And you have tested both hoses? Try a different battery, I used a much larger battery ( still 12 volts though )

 

what do you mean by both hoses? vacuum and pressure? if thats what you mean then yea, same results. Im gonna wait till my battery gets fully charged i guess. we'll see what happens then.

 

Scamil87,
I haven't done this but a lot of guys test these with 9v batteries and have had great results. Voltage definitely can affect the results as that is what holds the "plunger" in place. So if you have one handy, give it a shot. 12v is obviously the best though, as this is what the solenoid will receive when operating.

Steve

 

alright guys, battery charged overnight its fully charged now.
Nothing changed though. All solenoids are still doing the same thing in the video.
Let me know what you guys think i should do.
Thanks.

 

anyone?

 

All of my solenoids have 44k on them except one,which I bought new last summer. During this winter, when I changed my engine, I tested all of my solenoids. When 12V was applied one solenoid stuck and wouldn't click. All the other original solenoids tested good. The solenoid that was sticking was the one that I bought new last summer! I sprayed WD40 on it and shook it. It's been working ever since.

 

I had meant check both the hoses again to ensure they do not have a small leak in them.

 

Use 12 volts, to test these. I used 9v on new solenoids, and they will stick when new (fail test). Make sure you are getting full 12 volts by checking the voltage across the solenoid terminals with a meter. Try baking them at 200 deg F for 20 minutes, and cycle a several times to prep them (works internal plunger to eliminate friction) Then rerun the test, they should pass with 12 volts at 200 deg F.

Replaced mine with new, and the car runs fine with proper boost pattern.