I have a pressure tester for cooling systems that is great but I need an adapter kit. I look at the blue point kit and it was ~$400. That just seems ridiculous. Is there one that is a better value? Or do I need to just bite the bullet on this?
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Cooling system adapter kits?
- Thread starter Goinlow
- Start date
scott37300
Well-known member
I just bought one of these, http://www.tooltopia.com/mityvac-mv4506.aspx and it seems to work pretty good. Is this for work or at home? I couldn't justify buying all the adapters because I don't make money with my tools.
I'd be using these professionally so I'd like to hear how they hold up.
I've been using my bosses for a few applications that I dont have them for but he doesn't have a set that covers them all.
The gms that have a tank with a screw on cap are mostly what we can't cover. I do need a full set of my own though.
I've been using my bosses for a few applications that I dont have them for but he doesn't have a set that covers them all.
The gms that have a tank with a screw on cap are mostly what we can't cover. I do need a full set of my own though.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'd be using these professionally so I'd like to hear how they hold up.
I've been using my bosses for a few applications that I dont have them for but he doesn't have a set that covers them all.
The gms that have a tank with a screw on cap are mostly what we can't cover. I do need a full set of my own though.
I prefer metal adapters over the plastic kind, though they are more expensive. I've got quite a few, I just bought them as I needed them instead of buying a set. The Snap-on TA36GM adapter is for GM, but it will cover 95% of GM and Ford with the screw on caps, and the TA37 is the matching adapter to test the caps, no need to buy separate adapters for Ford and GM if you buy the right adapter the first time.
I've got buddies that have bought kits, and they all have adapters that they never use as well as the miscellaneous adapters that they had to buy to fill out their kit. Take a good look at what you usually work on, and buy the adapters for the make(s) of vehicles you see most.
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I prefer metal adapters over the plastic kind, though they are more expensive. I've got quite a few, I just bought them as I needed them instead of buying a set. The Snap-on TA36GM adapter is for GM, but it will cover 95% of GM and Ford with the screw on caps, and the TA37 is the matching adapter to test the caps, no need to buy separate adapters for Ford and GM if you buy the right adapter the first time.
I've got buddies that have bought kits, and they all have adapters that they never use as well as the miscellaneous adapters that they had to buy to fill out their kit. Take a good look at what you usually work on, and buy the adapters for the make(s) of vehicles you see most.
This is great advice. I think I will order that adapter. I seem to be doing a lot of cooling systems for GMs and fords so this helps tons.
Not personally having a clue, and all my mechanic friends use the Snapon, I am leaning towards Stant, and buying the specific adapters my cars use, or picking up a used set on ebay or CL.
How does the adapter picking work, by the radiator cap used?
Does the same radiator tester also test the cap?
How does the adapter picking work, by the radiator cap used?
Does the same radiator tester also test the cap?
Yes, the style of cap determines what adapter (if any) you use. You will also need a seperate adapter for the cap.How does the adapter picking work, by the radiator cap used?
Does the same radiator tester also test the cap?
The set I linked to in post #8 also has the necessary adapters to check the different caps. I "rented" one on Advance's tool loan program awhile back. I liked it well enough that I'll probably just buy one if I ever get an extra $169 in the tool budget.
Or, maybe I'll just keep on borrowing it. Advance is only 6 minutes from my house.
Or, maybe I'll just keep on borrowing it. Advance is only 6 minutes from my house.
Check of gas and radiator cap are now part of the Calif smog check, if it fails they offer to sell you a replacement on the spot, or fail you and you have to come back and the whole test has to be done again. Worse I have heard of brand new caps exceeding the pressure limit and causing leaks in expensive parts, so I would like to test all new ones.
It's imported, but THIS SET from Advance should fit just about anything you will run across. Even weird imports (VW) without radiator caps.
The only problem with this set is that you have to use their cooling pressure tester instead of standard style tester like the stants,truck brands.
I own 3 adapters and a universal adapter like linked in a previous post. I dont know the numbers off my head, but its the the threaded one for gms/fords, one for hondas, and I cant remeber what the other one is for.....ohh and I have the old style screw on one before they put the ****** on it to block the over flow hole that they started putting in the top of the reservoirs. All of the master kits are stupid expensive and you honestly wont use most of them.
As said before fiigure your most common cars, then buy around that...and maybe one of the universal jobs, so you have a backup.