using a radiator pressure tester question

[scott37300]

I bought a pressure tester and have a couple questions about using it.

First is are there any tips or tricks to finding a leak once you see it's losing pressure besides just seeing coolant come out somewhere? Or is seeing coolant come out about all you need? What about internal leaks for head gaskets and things? Any other signs or things to watch or do when doing a pressure test to diagnose things or pretty much just pressurize and look for leaks?

Also I read to take the plugs out when doing a pressure test because if the coolant leaks into the cylinder during a pressure test you can cause damage to the cylinder. So should I take all plugs out everytime I do a pressure test or is there only certain times I need to take the plugs out? Seems like a pain on some vehicles to take the plugs out just to do a pressure test but sure wouldn't want to cause more damage.

 

[scotte]

if you don't find the leak externally and you are not planning on investigating further immediately just turn the motor over by hand 4-5 times after relieving pressure if your worrying about hydro locking it

if you hydro lock it by hand just start removing plugs

 

[Shadowdog500]

If it is leaking into the cylinder you will probably know it when you pull the plug and see it looks different than the rest. I usually notice the difference in two adjacent plugs. If it is leaking into the pan the oil will start to get milky and you may have what looks like shaving cream in the valve covers.

Don't forget to check the cap.

Hope this helps
chris.

 

[I can fix anything]

I never pull the plugs for a pressure test. If there is water getting in the cylinders there should be a miss or no start condition. .this will warn you ahead of time. Do check the oil for water contamination.

 

[silversix]

Which one did you buy? I'm looking into getting a pressure tester soon.

 

[Danglerb]

Clean plug with the rest kinda dirty is a sign of coolant leaking.

When you pull a spark plug, make sure its clean around the plug so no sand etc. falls in, blow it out with air and use eye etc protection, and cover the hole while the plug is out.

Don't pump up the pressure past the cap rating. Start by checking the cap.

Coolant flows down, so the leak is the highest wet spot, except for sprays.

 

[scott37300]

Which one did you buy? I'm looking into getting a pressure tester soon.

I bought a used stant from another member on this forum, I placed a wanted ad in the classified section and within an hour or so I had a reply with a good deal. When I first started looking for a pressure tester it seems like the stant is one of the better ones, pretty sure they make the testers for most of the tool trucks. There is also the KD tools one that is rebranded by a couple of other guys including craftsman which some liked. The KD comes with some adaptors and a bladder adaptor that is supposed to work on most cars. The stant you have to buy individual adapters for different vehicles. From reading it sounded like the stant has been around forever and was a little better built than the KD one. There are also others like mityvac which some also liked. Personally I wouldn't trust the harbor freight one for something like this wear you need a good seal.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will play with it and see how things go. Was just a little worried after reading what can happen if you have a head gasket leak and coolant gets in the cylinder when you pressurize the system. Would hate to be doing a simple test and then have a major failure when I go to start the car. But it would also be a pain on some engines to pull the plugs just to do a simple test.

 

[jay50]

Don't forget to check free plugs for possible source of leaks when doing a pressure test.

 

[scott37300]

Don't forget to check free plugs for possible source of leaks when doing a pressure test.

freeze plugs?