I searched for the answer to this one...

It's common advice on here to pressure test the cooling system overnight to check for leaks. Anyone know what type (name brand) of pressure tester fits and where I can get one?

Is this a universal tester for all cars?

 

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God is everyone having coolant issues this week??
I'd be interested to know this also. I don't need one though. I'm pretty sure Rikki man has one.

 

My friend has one made by snap on... and it's made for domestics... Napa Autoparts sells an "import adapter" for $30. It will work on most imports including our FD's. When you see the adapter... you'll wonder how the hell they could charge $30 for a plastic tube... Good luck!

 

I imagine it is some sort of pump. Do you put it on the AST, the filler neck, or both?

 

Stant has a tester. I bought it offf the internet a few years ago for $70 plust $20 for the small radiator cap adapter. Google it as Stant Cooling system tester

 

The adaptor from Stant that works for the FD is part number 12027. I Still haven't ordered the adaptor but I have the Stant pressure tester sitting in my living room.

 

i believe you put the pressure tester (yes... it's exactly like a pump with a pressure gauge attached) on the filler neck only and leave the AST cap on... if I remember correctly... I believe the FSM says to pump to 18lbs... and checking every once in a while to see if pressure is dropping... and of course checking for visible leaks. If you suspect coolant seals... check the plugs after about 24 hours or so. I actually couldn't detect my leak until I started up the car (with tester on) only to find pluming white smoke from the exhaust pipe =(.

 

I know that Snap-On makes one. It is called a "Cooling System Tester". I believe the part number is "SVTS-262" it comes with "45 mm Adapters." I know that this system works on the FD, because I have used it on 2 FD's.

You can also use it to pressure test your radiator cap and see if it really releases at the psi it claims. I would be willing to bet you that it doesn't. Only one out of 6 caps I tested from different parts stores (all Stant brand) did not release at the psi it said. They were all around 2-3 psi higher than what was stated. Even the stock FD cap I tested released at about 16 psi when it said it should release at 13 psi. Hope this helps.

- Cody

 

you must ahve had the 1.1 bar cap and not teh .9 bar cap , fo rthe fd coolign system to be at its optimal efficiency you want the cap o relase at 16 psi

 

you can rent a pressure tester w/ adapter from autozone. takes an $80 deposit, and u get your full deposit back when u bring back the tester.

 

Thanks for the help. I like the idea of renting one, as I can use the money saved to replace the leaky culprit.

The overflow slowly fills, but doesn't get pulled back. All the antifreeze seems accounted for, and no smoke, so I don't think there is an o-ring issue. Brand new caps.

63000 miles, and never replaced a hose. Perhaps it's time to replace them all anyway.