** Cooling System Pressure Test **

[TSirotock]

I need to pressure test my cooling system and found several options for test kits, including of course the Harbour Freight one. As a DIY mechanic who likely needs this tool but a few times in my lifetime, can anyone recommend one that is adequate and cost effective? Is the HFT one servicable? Also, does anyone know if any specfic kit works on the Land Rover Discovery?

Or should I trust the kid at the auto parts store, or rent one and not bother owning said tool at all?

Thank you for reading and responding!

 

[JASTECH]

I have not used one on LRD's, I do have a few adapters though. Maybe Google the kit like mine is Stant/Matco/Snap-On, then Applications and adapter number needed?

 

[theoldwizard1]

AutoZone and O'Reily's and I am certain other big auto parts chains "rent" these testers for free.

 

[kursplat]

i have the HF one (cars are a great excuse for tool buyin') and like it. i don't need it everyday but it's worked fine the 5 or 6 times i have

 

[skruft]

The Stant is the standard tester and there are many on eBay. The trouble is that there is no such thing as a standard radiator cap any more, so all kinds of adapters are needed if you want to test the newer cars.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

The HF set will work on your Disco... Are you losing coolant? I hope a liner isn't slipping.

 

[csargents1546]

Check this one out, made by Redline Detection, got mine on Tooltopia.com, it works great. I even took pictures of it next to a Matco pressure tester, it is identical.

http://http://www.tooltopia.com/redline-detection-95-0700.aspx

 

[TSirotock]

The HF set will work on your Disco... Are you losing coolant? I hope a liner isn't slipping.

Great to hear, thanks! Sadly yes, it just started the mysterious loss of coolant, and now it spits from the overflow at the cap. Everything points to the very popular head gasket failure. It is British and Ford and German with an American heart so I am in for a frustrating lot of work I fear.

 

[rodm1]

The Stant is the standard tester and there are many on eBay. The trouble is that there is no such thing as a standard radiator cap any more, so all kinds of adapters are needed if you want to test the newer cars.

I agree, The only thing I don't like is it doesn't have a psi bleed of sow it tends to spill coolant all over when removing presser on the system.

 

[bcradio]

.... Or should I trust the kid at the auto parts store, ....

NEVER and I repeat NEVER trust the kid at the parts store.

I'd probably just rent one there and use it, but if you MUST buy a tool the HF one should do you well.