Stant Cooling System Pressure Tester

[OKTractorGirl]

My pickup has a cooling system leak somewhere. I was loaned a Stant Cooling System Pressure Tester. How do I use this tool?

 

[Mike M]

Hopefully you have a radiator with a cap and the proper adapters. With engine cold remove radiator cap. Might be a good idea to top off the coolant. Then you put tester on the radiator,then pump up the hand pump and watch the gauge it should have color codes just go up to the green 15 psi the red may be too much for it to handle. If it pumps up and holds all may be good just leave it there and check for leaks. It may leak too bad to even pump up ?

 

[Revredneck]

In order to pressure test your cooling system, you first remove the radiator cap (be careful that it's cool enough not to spray you with hot coolant). Next, you fasten the end of the tester in the radiator by inserting it in the neck and then turning the wings on top till the spring holds it firmly in place(1/4 turn). It should fit just as tightly as the radiator cap. If not, turn the wings to compress the spring and turn the fixture clockwise till it stops and then turn the wings to tighten it. Pump the plunger on the pump till the pressure on the gage reads in the range of pressure for your cap. Most modern systems run at about 14 psi. If you have the cap fixture on it right AND there is not a huge leak, you should be able to build enough pressure to cause the leak to show up. With pressure on the system, just look carefully at the engine, hoses, radiator, water pump, and heater area to see where the coolant is coming out. A good, leak-free system will hold pressure on the gage for several minutes. In some cases, you might have to increase the pressure to about 20 psi, but that is not usually necessary. HTH.
Good Luck and God Bless.

 

[guido]

Hello OKTractorGirl,
The pressure cap on your cooling system should be marked with the PSI'S (POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH)for that system.If not ,you need to find that pressure first.
NEVER exceede that pressure more then 10%.
10 PSI cap 11 psi test pressure. If its already leaking at cap pressure, That is really all you need to find your lesk. If it does not show up readly, leave the system pressurized and go back later to check it.
More pressure then that, and you will CREATE more problems then you already have.
Do the testing when the engine is cold for best results.
GOOD LUCK...................Guido.

 

[Old Ford Mechanic]

The others have given good advice.I might add,do this test with the engine not running.Pump the tester up and watch the guage on it .If it loses pressure you have a leak.Just look around and you will find it.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Year make and model please

 

[OKTractorGirl]

It's a 1996 Dodge Dakota pick up with a V-6.

 

[Hobo,NC]

how much coolant are you having to replace,,, how often,,, has any other work been preformed on the vehical,,, do you see any water on the ground,,, yours should have a standard radiator cap so hook up as has been mentioned,,, normaly its the radiator leak'n, water pump are around the thermostat housing (they rust out from the inside) lose hose clamps mite B a issue if the hoses have been removed lately