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?

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'77 Leyland Mini Van

Yep that will work provided your radiator cap is the recovery system type.

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 ......

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

.

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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

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

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

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...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

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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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates