Oil pressure tester gauge

[signcrafter]

From my thread in free parking about the oil filter pretty much blowing up I want to get an oil pressure tester to see what the actual pressure is. Is there anything special about one from the other? I can't find one on harbor freight's website but if they have one would it be good enough for the little I will use it or is this something I want better quality gauge? I see they come in a variety of PSI ratings, what range should I look for in one?

Any recommendations on one? Keeping in mind this will be a one time use to maybe a handful of times in my lifetime. I was kind of hoping HF would have one so I could get one locally but I couldn't find one on their site.

 

[oldtools]

http://www.harborfreight.com/engine-oil-pressure-test-kit-98949.html

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks. I must have used every combination of oil and pressure and tester possible besides the right one!

Any reviews on this? It gets decent reviews on the HF site. Be nice because it's the only local one I can find, the auto parts store websites says special order. I guess I'm not in a hurry so I could order one if the HF is junk.

 

[STANIMAL]

I have had one for a few years . Still works fine.

 

[hguerrero]

i might still have a snap-on version for sale in my toolbox. be right back.

 

[hguerrero]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173568

priced higher than i remember.

 

[signcrafter]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173568

priced higher than i remember.

That's a compression tester for testing cylinder compression. I"m looking for an oil pressure tester similar to what is linked to above.

 

[redwrench60]

Signcrafter, make your own high quality engine oil or transmission pressure test set. If you're interested I'll show the set I put together and the custom pressure hose setup I had made that is low buck and is waaaay better than what you can buy in a set.

 

[Imcrazy]

I just ordered the OTC 5610 set from tooltopia. It was about $55

 

[signcrafter]

Signcrafter, make your own high quality engine oil or transmission pressure test set. If you're interested I'll show the set I put together and the custom pressure hose setup I had made that is low buck and is waaaay better than what you can buy in a set.

I'm always interested in making my own stuff. Pictures and details would be much appreciated.

I just ordered the OTC 5610 set from tooltopia. It was about $55

I was looking at that set and seems really nice for the price. I like how it has a high and a low gauge and can be used with transmissions and oil pressure.

 

[70C-10]

Signcrafter, make your own high quality engine oil or transmission pressure test set. If you're interested I'll show the set I put together and the custom pressure hose setup I had made that is low buck and is waaaay better than what you can buy in a set.

Yes pics please

 

[redwrench60]

Roger that. Pics to follow after work.

 

[CWP1616L]

http://www.harborfreight.com/engine-oil-pressure-test-kit-98949.html

That looks like a nice one; comes with a case too.

 

[signcrafter]

That looks like a nice one; comes with a case too.

Yes it has a good variety of adapters and a case. My only concern is accuracy but in my searching I couldn't find any bad reviews about it. A handful of good reviews form GJ members and the HF site reviews are good. Right now I'm leaning towards picking up the HF kit and then look into building my own like redwrench that should be a little better quality.

 

[oldtools]

I bought a snap on engine oil gauge for $5, but it is missing all the adapter fittings. Snap on sell the fitting for $10 each which is pricey. Does anybody know whether the HF engine oil kit fitting adapters fit the Snap On gauge? If they do, I will buy the HF kit and replace the gauge with the Snap On gauge. The entire kit have all the fitting adapters for only $25 (without coupon).

 

[sberry]

You can buy a common gage at almost any auto parts for 15$ and it might come with installation kit.

 

[redwrench60]

I got tired of tearing up the guages and bursting the hoses that come with the cheap sets so I went to my local Parker hydraulic and fluid connection store (you can also go to Northern tool or Tractor supply) and bought a couple 2-1/2" glicerine filled guages with male 1/4-18 NPT threads with 0-100 PSI and 0-600 PSI graduations and one 4" glicerine filled guage also with male 1/4-18 NPT thread in 0-400 PSI. The glicerine helps dampen the vibrations and stabilize the needle jumping for easier reading.
Next I had them crimp me together two hoses one 6 ft and the other 8 ft long to reach into the vehicle on road tests both with swivel couplings at the test end to make installing them easier. One hose is 400 PSI rated for testing enging oil pressure with the 0-100 PSI guage and the other hose is 3000 PSI rated for testing transmissions with the 0-400 PSI and 0-600 PSI guages. Both hoses have female 1/4-18 NPT at the guage end and male 1/4-18 NPT threads at the hookup end.
While I was there I picked up a basic assortment of brass fittings for common connection to engines and transmissions (mostly 1/8-27 NPT and 1/4-18 NPT) along with some extension, 90 degree and adaptor bushings. I've since added many as the need arose. A good hydraulic store has whatever you need

Now I kinda went whole hog on this but I use the piss out of them but you can put a basic oil pressure test set together for cheap and have a high quality set. A decent little 2-1/2" liquid filled guage costs $15-$25 and the 6 ft 400 PSI hose cost me about $16. You can go as simple or as wild as your needs dictate without buying stuff you don't need.

 

[signcrafter]

You can buy a common gage at almost any auto parts for 15$ and it might come with installation kit.

To use as a tester? If so why when you can pick up a HF kit for the same price and it comes with a better hose for testing and all the adapters.

I got tired of tearing up the guages and bursting the hoses that come with the cheap sets so I went to my local Parker hydraulic and fluid connection store (you can also go to Northern tool or Tractor supply) and bought a couple 2-1/2" glicerine filled guages with male 1/4-18 NPT threads with 0-100 PSI and 0-600 PSI graduations and one 4" glicerine filled guage also with male 1/4-18 NPT thread in 0-400 PSI. The glicerine helps dampen the vibrations and stabilize the needle jumping for easier reading.
Next I had them crimp me together two hoses one 6 ft and the other 8 ft long to reach into the vehicle on road tests both with swivel couplings at the test end to make installing them easier. One hose is 400 PSI rated for testing enging oil pressure with the 0-100 PSI guage and the other hose is 3000 PSI rated for testing transmissions with the 0-400 PSI and 0-600 PSI guages. Both hoses have female 1/4-18 NPT at the guage end and male 1/4-18 NPT threads at the hookup end.
While I was there I picked up a basic assortment of brass fittings for common connection to engines and transmissions (mostly 1/8-27 NPT and 1/4-18 NPT) along with some extension, 90 degree and adaptor bushings. I've since added many as the need arose. A good hydraulic store has whatever you need

Now I kinda went whole hog on this but I use the piss out of them but you can put a basic oil pressure test set together for cheap and have a high quality set. A decent little 2-1/2" liquid filled guage costs $15-$25 and the 6 ft 400 PSI hose cost me about $16. You can go as simple or as wild as your needs dictate without buying stuff you don't need.

Redwrench that is really nice! The gauges at northern tools are about 20 bucks and made by valley instrument. Do you think these gauges are any better then the HF ones? It doesn't say where it's made. Just wondering if it's worth going to the trouble and added expense to make my own instead of just buying the 20 dollar HF kit with the gauge, hose, and variety of adapters for the same price as just the gauge from northern tools? Then would still have to pay almost 20 bucks for the hose and then buy the fittings at a few bucks each. If making it myself is going to give a much better quality tester then I will go that route but just curious if for a limited use tester for a home mechanic if its worth the added expense?

 

[redwrench60]

To use as a tester? If so why when you can pick up a HF kit for the same price and it comes with a better hose for testing and all the adapters.



Redwrench that is really nice! The gauges at northern tools are about 20 bucks and made by valley instrument. Do you think these gauges are any better then the HF ones? It doesn't say where it's made. Just wondering if it's worth going to the trouble and added expense to make my own instead of just buying the 20 dollar HF kit with the gauge, hose, and variety of adapters for the same price as just the gauge from northern tools? Then would still have to pay almost 20 bucks for the hose and then buy the fittings at a few bucks each. If making it myself is going to give a much better quality tester then I will go that route but just curious if for a limited use tester for a home mechanic if its worth the added expense?

My 0-100 PSI guage is a Valley Instrument from Northern tool and it's been a great value. The liquid filled feature is a welcome addition to stabilize the reading. I've been using it for almost ten years now. When I bought it it was about $12 but they've gone up now like everything else. I don't have any experience with the HF kit but like the other ones I've tried it'll probably show it's *** after multiple uses. If you bought it for a one time use it would probably be just fine but if you want better features, better fittings, nicer guages, longer hoses, (that won't burst) and you don't want to spend hundreds on quailty sets it's worth a look. You will end up with a MUCH better setup if you put it together yourself. I've handled expensive sets on tool trucks that aren't half as good as my custom setup.

 

[signcrafter]

My 0-100 PSI guage is a Valley Instrument from Northern tool and it's been a great value. The liquid filled feature is a welcome addition to stabilize the reading. I've been using it for almost ten years now. When I bought it it was about $12 but they've gone up now like everything else. I don't have any experience with the HF kit but like the other ones I've tried it'll probably show it's *** after multiple uses. If you bought it for a one time use it would probably be just fine but if you want better features, better fittings, nicer guages, longer hoses, (that won't burst) and you don't want to spend hundreds on quailty sets it's worth a look. You will end up with a MUCH better setup if you put it together yourself. I've handled expensive sets on tool trucks that aren't half as good as my custom setup.

I'll have to take a trip out to northern tools and see what they have for gauges. What size hose is yours, diameter? I see northern also sells some 1/4" and 3/8" hydraulic hoses that might work.

Next question, since a hose is about 20 bucks and a gauge is about the same I'm at 40 bucks plus need some fittings. Would you go that route or would you just pick up a medium quality kit like the OTC that is about 55 shipped that comes with two gauges and a hose and all the adapter fittings? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R5G0DO/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I know you said your custom setup was better quality then expensive tool truck sets but I'm just trying to weigh all my options here and get the best value here.

 

[redwrench60]

I'll have to take a trip out to northern tools and see what they have for gauges. What size hose is yours, diameter? I see northern also sells some 1/4" and 3/8" hydraulic hoses that might work.

Next question, since a hose is about 20 bucks and a gauge is about the same I'm at 40 bucks plus need some fittings. Would you go that route or would you just pick up a medium quality kit like the OTC that is about 55 shipped that comes with two gauges and a hose and all the adapter fittings? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R5G0DO/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I know you said your custom setup was better quality then expensive tool truck sets but I'm just trying to weigh all my options here and get the best value here.

My hoses are both 1/4" Inner dia. USA made Parker hose. Remember the main advantage of having the hose made is being able to pick length, fitting size, swivel, quick connect ect. I don't know what Northerns hoses are like. As for fittings most of what I hook into uses 1/8-27 NPT size. I think that's what your Ford uses, if so you could have your hose made with that end on it and you'd need no adaptor. But OTOH that OTC set looks pretty nice $55 shipped for an occasional user might be just the ticket. I'm very pleased with my setup and I'd do it all over again. Next time I might even do quick connect couplings AND swivels for the ultimate in test gauge badassery.

 

[sberry]

To use as a tester? If so why when you can pick up a HF kit for the same price and it comes with a better hose for testing and all the adapters.

Because its almost stupid simple, I got nothing against Northern or HF if its close but for 15 fukkin dollars and 5 minute stop you can end all the mental ************ this kind of thing seems to come to.

 

[signcrafter]

My hoses are both 1/4" Inner dia. USA made Parker hose. Remember the main advantage of having the hose made is being able to pick length, fitting size, swivel, quick connect ect. I don't know what Northerns hoses are like. As for fittings most of what I hook into uses 1/8-27 NPT size. I think that's what your Ford uses, if so you could have your hose made with that end on it and you'd need no adaptor. But OTOH that OTC set looks pretty nice $55 shipped for an occasional user might be just the ticket. I'm very pleased with my setup and I'd do it all over again. Next time I might even do quick connect couplings AND swivels for the ultimate in test gauge badassery.

I'm going to have to do some more checking and weigh out all my options. I really like yours and appreciate the pictures and details. I like making my own stuff but for something I won't use all that much and can get a somewhat decent quality set with two gauges and all the adapters for about the same price as buying just a gauge and a hose it might make more sense.

Because its almost stupid simple, I got nothing against Northern or HF if its close but for 15 fukkin dollars and 5 minute stop you can end all the mental ************ this kind of thing seems to come to.

Mental ************, that's what talking about toos is now? I just like to weigh all my options and to be honest I'm not in a huge hurry. The HF one is only a couple bucks more then a make shift auto parts store aftermarket so if I end up going "cheap" it will be the HF one since it comes with a little nicer gauge and case with all the adapters. Otherwise I might go with the OTC for 55 since it comes with both gauges so would have the ability to test oil pressure and trans pressure, may never need that but who knows.

I'm working on hooking up all the odds and ends and what not on the truck so not in any hurry to start it up again. Had to run to the junkyard and get some stuff. I'm just putzing around and dealing with things as they come and learning a lot as I go. Thanks for the suggestion of the aftermarket pressure gauge, never would have thought about it and is a nice option since local stores don't stock the real pressure testers.

 

[redwrench60]

Because its almost stupid simple, I got nothing against Northern or HF if its close but for 15 fukkin dollars and 5 minute stop you can end all the mental ************ this kind of thing seems to come to.

Lol, c'mon sberry, we're just talkin' tools. You know you love it!

And where you get one for $15? They're all like $29 or so at my local parts houses and you don't get much.

 

[signcrafter]

Lol, c'mon sberry, we're just talkin' tools. You know you love it!

And where you get one for $15? They're all like $29 or so at my local parts houses and you don't get much.

The ones on advance auto's website are about 18 bucks. But like you said they don't come with much and the gauge doesn't look as easy to read compared to a tester gauge since it just has 5 or 10 PSI intervals compared to 1 PSI increments on an actual tester. Just seems an actual tester for the same price would be more accurate and easier to read, for the same price for the cheaper ones.

 

[crewchief888]

i've accumulated a LOT of fittings, hoses and adapters over the years, all from various hyd supply places.

all my adapters have a pipe (or oring) on one end, and -4 AN/jic (or -6) on the other, hose has a -4 (-6) female swivel on one end, guage with a female hyd coupler on the other, male coupler on the guages.

couple hoses and a handfull of fittings and guages and i'm good to test.

i can test anywhere from eng oil pressure, typically under 75psi, to 3500psi +
with the same setup.

 

[signcrafter]

i've accumulated a LOT of fittings, hoses and adapters over the years, all from various hyd supply places.

all my adapters have a pipe (or oring) on one end, and -4 AN/jic (or -6) on the other, hose has a -4 (-6) female swivel on one end, guage with a female hyd coupler on the other, male coupler on the guages.

couple hoses and a handfull of fittings and guages and i'm good to test.

i can test anywhere from eng oil pressure, typically under 75psi, to 3500psi +
with the same setup.

That's definitely the way to go, like you and redwrench did putting your own "kit" together. I just have to decide what the best option for me is balancing quality, cost, and how little I will use it. Since I don't have any of the parts besides maybe a few pipe fittings I will have to buy the parts whatever way I decide to go with.

I'm going to check out the gauges at northern tools and see what I can get for a hose there. Never been to any of the specialty hydraulic shops around town so not sure if they sell to public or not.

I'd like to build up my own kit like you guys but at the same time it's nice to just buy a kit like the 55 dollar OTC and know I will have everything I will need at hand. Won't have to run out and pick up fittings as needed. Also just a 0-100PSI gauge and hose is going to cost almost as much as the whole OTC kit with two gauges and hose and all the fittings I should ever need. Then there is still the 20 buck HF kit since I've never needed an oil pressure gauge before and who knows if I ever will. Life is full of tough decisions!