5 dollar DIY coolant pressure tester!
04-29-2013, 05:18 PM
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5 dollar DIY coolant pressure tester!
This is another tech article I meant to post months ago, but now seems as good a time as ever. I created a coolant pressure tester using an old stock coolant cap, a tire stem from autozone, and some black silicone.
http://postimg.org/image/piz1tui8h/
Take apart the coolant cap, drill a hole through the center of the middle piece big enough for the stem to pass through, and the center of the top metal cap just big enough for the threads of the stem as shown in the picture, and insert the tire stem through. Seal it up with silicone; use lots of it. We will set the height of the assembly so it is airtight later.
http://postimg.org/image/586x0zewd/
Bore a hole in the other part of the cap as shown in the picture, and set the two pieces together like so.
http://postimg.org/image/mh5x7hfw3/
Now assemble the whole thing together, and as you can see the bottom looks just like stock, so it will seal against the lip of the coolant overflow tank with spring pressure. In order for this to work, you will need to adjust the height of the bottom metal seal where it rides on the tire stem so that when you set it onto the coolant tank, it doesnt just fall in, but takes some downward force against the spring for the cap to catch the threads on the tank and seal. If the bottom seal is riding too high, the high spring pressure will force it down and it wont create a good seal. Too low, and there wont be enough pressure from the spring against the seal and it will leak pressure as well. You will know the height is correct when you can thread the cap onto the tire stem threads and feel it slightly compress against the spring tension. Keep adjusting it while the silicone is still wet and when you get it right, set it where it needs to be and allow the silicone to cure for at least 24-48 hours. Once done, you can use a bike pump to force air into the system and check for leaks!
Total cost of this is about 5 dollars if you have an old stock coolant cap laying around. This tester should easily allow you to add 15ish psi to the system. Hope this helps some folks.
http://postimg.org/image/piz1tui8h/
Take apart the coolant cap, drill a hole through the center of the middle piece big enough for the stem to pass through, and the center of the top metal cap just big enough for the threads of the stem as shown in the picture, and insert the tire stem through. Seal it up with silicone; use lots of it. We will set the height of the assembly so it is airtight later.
http://postimg.org/image/586x0zewd/
Bore a hole in the other part of the cap as shown in the picture, and set the two pieces together like so.
http://postimg.org/image/mh5x7hfw3/
Now assemble the whole thing together, and as you can see the bottom looks just like stock, so it will seal against the lip of the coolant overflow tank with spring pressure. In order for this to work, you will need to adjust the height of the bottom metal seal where it rides on the tire stem so that when you set it onto the coolant tank, it doesnt just fall in, but takes some downward force against the spring for the cap to catch the threads on the tank and seal. If the bottom seal is riding too high, the high spring pressure will force it down and it wont create a good seal. Too low, and there wont be enough pressure from the spring against the seal and it will leak pressure as well. You will know the height is correct when you can thread the cap onto the tire stem threads and feel it slightly compress against the spring tension. Keep adjusting it while the silicone is still wet and when you get it right, set it where it needs to be and allow the silicone to cure for at least 24-48 hours. Once done, you can use a bike pump to force air into the system and check for leaks!
Total cost of this is about 5 dollars if you have an old stock coolant cap laying around. This tester should easily allow you to add 15ish psi to the system. Hope this helps some folks.
