Redneck Cooling system pressure tester

[brushogger]

Yesterday my truck developed a coolant leak that is in close quarters at the rear of the motor. I checked the local parts houses loan-a-tool for a tester, but none had an adapter that would fit my Disco. After returning home, I saw an old bicycle tube in the garage. It stretched over the tank neck perfectly. After plugging the overflow tube, I rolled the open end up and ty-rapped it. Used another couple of wire ties for hose clamps on the tank neck. Then gorilla taped the whole thing to contain more pressure. I used my bicycle pump to pressurize it. Lo and behold, it held 10 psi and coolant started dripping! No more chasing leaks down with the engine hot. It is ugly, but it worked.

The leak actually ended up being at the front where the heater hose comes out of the intake. The O ring was bad. The coolant was running along the top of the motor and down the back.

 

[crusader]

Red Green would be proud of you!

 

[brushogger]

Red Green would be proud of you!

Red is THE MAN!

 

[spikemd]

a pressure tester with a BMW adapter should fit the disco expansion tank.

that is quite a set-up....

 

[brushogger]

I wish I could have found one. Autozone and Oreillys loan-a-tool testers had nothing even close to a fit. They said I would have to order a european kit (mucho$$$$). I did order a new cap. I think I'll be modifying the old one with a long valve stem to accomplish the same thing without nearly as much hassle (or duct tape!).

 

[Series1Rangie]

Nice, looks similar to my pressure bleeding set up for the brakes. :beer:

 

[Gren_T]

how about a spare cap drilled out to take the valve from the inner tube.. and you can do away with your porno adaptor..

regards all

Gren

 

[brushogger]

how about a spare cap drilled out to take the valve from the inner tube.. and you can do away with your porno adaptor..

regards all

Gren

That's my plan.