Pressure test of the cooling system

[badenstag]

Hi,

after changing all hoses of the cooling system to silicone hoses I want to do a pressure test before I refill the system. I found the relevant section in the ROM (26.10.07).

Any advice regarding the tools I have to use for the pressure test will be appreciated.
What would be the easiest way to avoid air locks during the refilling procedure?

Regards

Gerd

[jleyton]

I made up something like this to connect to my bicycle pump.

DSCN1898.jpg












































The only thing is that the brass connector is an imperial thread which may be hard for you to find in Germany. If it's any help I could post you one of you want.


As for air locks, I'd just say to fill slowly through the rad plug and squeeze hoses where you can. It may help to loosen the hoses to the heater. I once had a large air lock and the engine started overheating fairly soon after starting. I then just allowed the air to vent and refilled.

Good luck.

Cheers

Julian

[Bandit1200]

This looks very much like the Buck Ram Stimulus kit I bought 10yrs ago in Soho for £6.99

[jleyton]

This looks very much like the Buck Ram Stimulus kit I bought 10yrs ago in Soho for £6.99

Ooh err....... I had to check I'd posted the correct picture

Looks like you must have bought a small one then Steve

Cheers, see you Sunday.

Julian

[badenstag]

I made up something like this to connect to my bicycle pump.

[...]

The only thing is that the brass connector is an imperial thread which may be hard for you to find in Germany. If it's any help I could post you one of you want.


As for air locks, I'd just say to fill slowly through the rad plug and squeeze hoses where you can. It may help to loosen the hoses to the heater. I once had a large air lock and the engine started overheating fairly soon after starting. I then just allowed the air to vent and refilled.

Good luck.

Cheers

Julian

Hi Julian,

that's a good idea. Do you know the exact thread size so I could do a research in Germany?

Cheers

Gerd

[v8ken]

Hi
I used a foot pump to pressurise the system, like Julian.
I replaced the plug in the top of the radiator with a domestic radiator 1/2 '' bsp brass bleed valve,once the small bleed screw was removed the pump adapter(blue plastic thing in Julians photo) screwed into it and the pump just fitted onto that.
Once you have pressured the system with air,if you suspect any leaks you can soap around the joints with some soapy water=it will bubble if a joint has a leak.
Regards Ken.
ps. A domestic heating system 1/2" drain cock may work also.

[Staggard]

This is one I made up to use with a tyre pressure guage IMG_0369.jpg

[richardthestag]

I am guessing that you dont want to waste antifreeze?

I filled mine neat water, sealed it, ran it up to temperature. fixed a couple of minor leaks at hose clips.

Let it cool, removed the temp sender from the rear head and drained plain water out, when i thought enough had gone sealed it back up again and topped up with antifreeze.

dont forget to leave the heater valve open.

[stagmuffin]

hi I would suggest pressurising the system up to at least the 20psi for later cars and 13 for the early that are not converted ,an adapter with a Schrader one way valve and gauge is a good way as the system should hold pressure easily if good. just checking the hoses wont tell you if you have a small internal leak but a gauge watched over time will. and I don't see why you can just fill it with air instead of water then you wont lose any fluids and repairs when found can be easier to deal with . a couple of years back in the 70,s I bought a Sykes pick Avant tool for this job with built in gauge and pump and it adapts to any of the old type rad necks I need to make an adapter to fit the modern screw thread types anyone know if they are a std thread like the old caps were one size fits all .
Steve

[Klaus Schlueter]

Gerd,
IIRC it is a 1/2" pipe thread which you can buy in various types for plumbing or central heating at Hornbach, Bauhaus or OBI.

Klaus

[StagnJag]

I used a car foot pump and presureised it via the small hose from the expansion bottle - no threaded adaptors needed! worked pretty well. It is surprising how few pumps of hte foot pump were neededto presurise the system. I suppose there isn't as much give in a cast iron block as there is in a bycycle tyre!!!

Regards

Dave

[DJT]

I used a car foot pump and presureised it via the small hose from the expansion bottle - no threaded adaptors needed! worked pretty well. It is surprising how few pumps of hte foot pump were neededto presurise the system. I suppose there isn't as much give in a cast iron block as there is in a bycycle tyre!!!

Regards

Dave

Similar but cut the valve out of an old bicycle inner tube and superglued it into a short length of fuel pipe. We have a cheap Aldi bicycle pump with a pressure gauge built in. A few strokes of the pump and 20psi comes up very quickly.....

[milothedog]

hi I would suggest pressurising the system up to at least the 20psi for later cars and 13 for the early that are not converted ,an adapter with a Schrader one way valve and gauge is a good way as the system should hold pressure easily if good. just checking the hoses wont tell you if you have a small internal leak but a gauge watched over time will. and I don't see why you can just fill it with air instead of water then you wont lose any fluids and repairs when found can be easier to deal with . a couple of years back in the 70,s I bought a Sykes pick Avant tool for this job with built in gauge and pump and it adapts to any of the old type rad necks I need to make an adapter to fit the modern screw thread types anyone know if they are a std thread like the old caps were one size fits all .
Steve

Steve, I have an older "318" tester kit probably the same as yours. I acquired an expanding adapter which is pictured in the more modern kit here http://www.sykes-pickavant.com/produ...sting/33190000

Works well and generally one size fit's all as they say.

Ian.

[stagmuffin]

Steve, I have an older "318" tester kit probably the same as yours. I acquired an expanding adapter which is pictured in the more modern kit here http://www.sykes-pickavant.com/produ...sting/33190000

Works well and generally one size fit's all as they say.

Ian.

great thanks ian that's what I want , will get one when I get back from the sun.
cheers
steve

[KOY 23]

will get one when i get back from the sun.
Cheers
steve

again!!!