Best vacuum coolant filler

[packt]

I'm looking for a little help. i want to get a vacuum cooling system filler for work. I work on highway trucks and the faster, the better. Thanks for the help.

 

[devoncoolman]

I use an air lift always worked good for me. The snapon version is really nice but also expensive

 

[rtole]

I am in the market for one as well. I have used an air lift at the last shop I worked at. It was made of brass, I could never quite fill a whole system with that one. Another tech had one, it was plastic and just had a tappered cone, instead of the rubber adapters. The plastic one worked better. It did not have a brand name on it and he forgot where he got it.

 

[turdferguson13]

My work has the snap on version and it's always been great.

 

[woodstockva]

I own the Uview AirLift 550000, and I also own the Astro Pneumatic 78586.

The airlift works good, but I have 2 complaints.

1. When the airline is attached, it constantly uses air even if the shutoff valve is closed, because the air line plugs directly into the venturi mechanism.

2. The rubber fill neck rips fairly easily & will cause air leaks back into the system. Finding the replacement part is NOT easy & I had to resort to finding a reseller on ebay to replace mine twice.

As far as the Astro Pneumatic one goes....

I have not owned it nearly as long as the Airlift, but I have had zero issues. I know it is compatible with their line of radiator cap pressure testers & is part of a larger set that includes everything if you wanted to go that route. The best part in my opinion with the Astro version is that when you turn OFF the air to the venturi, you dont still use air....the flow stops, because they were smart enough to place the shutoff valve BEFORE the venturi, not after it like the airlift.

So to sum it up...

The Airlift is a great system, aside from the air usage annoyance & the ripped rubber fill neck. The Airlift is more expensive ($115 or so)

http://www.uview.com/index.cfm?DSP=...oryID=1330&pagepath=Products/Cooling&id=45700

The Astro Pneumatic version is great, I have had no issues, but I have not owned it nearly as long or done as many fluid changes with it. The Astro is much cheaper ($65 or so)

http://www.astrotools.com/default.aspx?toolsnum=78586

I would buy either again with no hesitations.

 

[dankicksass]

I use the Airlift brass body kit - SO rebrands it as #RADKITPLUSA - it does a good job. Never had any trouble with it not filling a system. If I were to buy today, I'd get the poly model and save $50. I almost never take off the universal cone. When I do, it's so I can use the Airlift tool with the adapters from my import radiator pressure test kit. I made a custom adapter, but if you have the Snap-On (Stant) type pressure tester already, SO has kit #SVTSRAD262A that you use directly with the radiator pressure tester kit adapters. Astro #78585 crams all that stuff in one box, if you don't already have anything.

 

[MattPersman]

I use airlift 550500, it's the economy II plastic one that is universal. Nice tool, a coworker had the same one I used a few times before purchasing it to see how I liked it. The astro looks worth trying for the money, not like there is much to them.

 

[signcrafter]

I use the Airlift brass body kit - SO rebrands it as #RADKITPLUSA - it does a good job. Never had any trouble with it not filling a system. If I were to buy today, I'd get the poly model and save $50. I almost never take off the universal cone. When I do, it's so I can use the Airlift tool with the adapters from my import radiator pressure test kit. I made a custom adapter, but if you have the Snap-On (Stant) type pressure tester already, SO has kit #SVTSRAD262A that you use directly with the radiator pressure tester kit adapters. Astro #78585 crams all that stuff in one box, if you don't already have anything.

Any chance of getting a picture of your adapter you made? I would love to be able to use my airlift with the adapters.

 

[bcradio]

Sorry for the novice question, but what is the difference between one of these and the Lisle spill free funnel (usage wise)? Is one of these needed on certain types of cars where the other will not work?

Thanks for any help.

 

[signcrafter]

There's some good reading on here if you search for "lisle funnel" and "airlift". Lots of posts comparing them.

The airlift is needed on some cars that are hard to fill and get all the air out. The lisle funnel will work on most vehicles. One advantage to the airlift is you can pull a vacuum and then **** the fluid in cold and it's full. With the lisle you have to run the vehicle up to operating temps so you are playing with a hot engine and hot coolant. The airlift you just **** in and done.

I have both and use both. The lisle funnel is nice because you just screw it on and pour in, but then you have to run the engine. I personally haven't found an engine it would bleed correctly but I don't deal with a ton of different cars. You also don't need shop air to use it. The airlift is nice because you just hook it up and pull a vacuum and open the valve to fill with no air pockets. But you need shop air and have to make sure you have enough extra coolant so you don't run out and **** air in. So takes a little more time to set up but less time to fill since you don't need to run the engine.

 

[bcradio]

Great explanation Signcrafter, thanks for the input. I have the Lisle and have only used it a bit with pretty good success so far. It looks like I will have to get one of these next time I run into a job where I need to fill the cooling system.

 

[RV77]

I have the Snap-on version and it works extremely well.All stainless but I still rinse it out when done.

 

[richfinn]

I have a Zeca brand vacuum fill system, It's really well made maybe 12 years old and still going strong

 

[dankicksass]

Any chance of getting a picture of your adapter you made? I would love to be able to use my airlift with the adapters.

I have the import adapters like you'll find at HF or Astro, so they have a quick disconnect like a small air line. I found the right quick disconnect female to fit, put the biggest ****** I could find for 1/8NPT on it, and it's rubber from there up. It works like factory. I might get rid of the whole thing, adapters and Airlift kit, in favor of just having one box to store. I've got "plenty of space" in my KRL, but every cubic inch counts.

Edit: I took a photo with one of the adapters installed. It's not really too custom, just a quick connect and a ******. No leaks, easy servicing German makes.

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks for the picture Dan. I wonder if I could get an extra stant hose like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stant-12704..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item2c717be2ea&vxp=mtr and adapt it to my airlift and just use my stant adapters? Snap on has one similar to that that uses the stant style adapters. Then just leave it on instead of messing with the rubber adapters.

 

[dankicksass]

Sounds good to me. I use mine with the little hose, just have to hold on to it. Wasn't easy to take a photo with the floppy hose tho. I think I'm going to add the gauge protector from Snap-On to my kit.