ausmini :: View topic - DIY cooling system pressure tester

Wombat wrote:

I tested a heater core by hooking up the hose on a tap to the inlet - another short length of hose to the outlet - turned the tap on and with the water flowing out the outlet bent the outlet hose on itself stopping the flow - there was a pin hole leak that was evident - fixed it and retested all OK :wink:

Be careful doing that, there can be up to 1000KPa (or more!) mains pressure, = ~150psi. A bit more than the Mini's 13psi rated pressure... :shock:

I do it to test heads (I bolt 2 together) but I'd be wary of doing this with a radiator...

Author:	Gotta_Van [ Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:51 pm ]
Post subject:	DIY cooling system pressure tester
I need to check for leaks in my cooling system. I can't afford to buy a 'proper' tool for this. If I get an old radiator cap, drill a hole through the top, fit a tube of some kind to the cap and the other end to a bicycle pump with a a gauge so I don't overdo the pressure, this should work, right? Or should I just save my pennies and get it done at a rad place? Expensive?

Author:	mini_mad_matt [ Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:59 pm ]
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Yep that will work provided your radiator cap is the recovery system type.

Author:	AJ [ Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:05 pm ]
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Just go to a radiator place ,they don't charge much to do a pressure test ,or buy a pressure tester ,they are not expensive these days ......

Author:	74snail [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:00 am ]
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The old BMC way to checks for leaks was clean and dry the engine bay , then put butchers paper under the car and add red food dye to the radiator and run the engine .

Author:	simon k [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:11 am ]
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I reckon you should be able to get it done for nothing - it only takes 2 minutes any mechanic should have a kit to do it, so go to where you get your non-mini (assuming you have one) serviced and ask them

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Author:	Wombat [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:43 am ]
Post subject:
I tested a heater core by hooking up the hose on a tap to the inlet - another short length of hose to the outlet - turned the tap on and with the water flowing out the outlet bent the outlet hose on itself stopping the flow - there was a pin hole leak that was evident - fixed it and retested all OK

Author:	drmini in aust [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:46 am ]
Post subject:
Wombat wrote: I tested a heater core by hooking up the hose on a tap to the inlet - another short length of hose to the outlet - turned the tap on and with the water flowing out the outlet bent the outlet hose on itself stopping the flow - there was a pin hole leak that was evident - fixed it and retested all OK Be careful doing that, there can be up to 1000KPa (or more!) mains pressure, = ~150psi. A bit more than the Mini's 13psi rated pressure... I do it to test heads (I bolt 2 together) but I'd be wary of doing this with a radiator...

Author:	mickmini [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:
drmini in aust wrote: Wombat wrote: I tested a heater core by hooking up the hose on a tap to the inlet - another short length of hose to the outlet - turned the tap on and with the water flowing out the outlet bent the outlet hose on itself stopping the flow - there was a pin hole leak that was evident - fixed it and retested all OK Be careful doing that, there can be up to 1000KPa (or more!) mains pressure, = ~150psi. A bit more than the Mini's 13psi rated pressure... I do it to test heads (I bolt 2 together) but I'd be wary of doing this with a radiator... Reckon the hose would go before the radiator given it is being kinked, but at least that is better than using an air compressor (never use compressed air as a pressure test medium people!)

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