DMC1890
05-29-2017, 02:08 PM
I just last week received my Mityvac pressure tester ($43 from Amazon). I bought this after reading a procedure suggesting using one to bleed the cooling system. The same procedure also probably mentioned getting the Toby radiator bleeder valve, but I stupidly have not yet done that.
I was previously aware of some leaks, and sure enough when I pressured up to 10 lbs, I smelled a telltale ocean breeze, followed by some dripping around the water pump. I had replaced the water pump a few years before, but the car had barely been driven since then. I decided that whether or not the water pump was bad, I should go into the VOD to see if coolant had puddled up there. It had indeed, and after drying out the valley, I retested, and found that the problem was the starboard pipe-to-water pump hose connection at the pump. After fixing that, I pressure-tested again, saw no leaks, and the VOD remained dry. Without the pressure tester, I would have to seal up the VOD, start the car, hot-test it, and still not be able to see if I was leaking into the VOD.
I've just now re-read many threads on here regarding cooling system leaks, and some of the wisest contributors (most of whom are named David or Dave) always say to use a pressure tester. I know you can 'rent' these, and also there are better and more expensive units to buy. But for me, this was $43 I am glad I spent.
I was previously aware of some leaks, and sure enough when I pressured up to 10 lbs, I smelled a telltale ocean breeze, followed by some dripping around the water pump. I had replaced the water pump a few years before, but the car had barely been driven since then. I decided that whether or not the water pump was bad, I should go into the VOD to see if coolant had puddled up there. It had indeed, and after drying out the valley, I retested, and found that the problem was the starboard pipe-to-water pump hose connection at the pump. After fixing that, I pressure-tested again, saw no leaks, and the VOD remained dry. Without the pressure tester, I would have to seal up the VOD, start the car, hot-test it, and still not be able to see if I was leaking into the VOD.
I've just now re-read many threads on here regarding cooling system leaks, and some of the wisest contributors (most of whom are named David or Dave) always say to use a pressure tester. I know you can 'rent' these, and also there are better and more expensive units to buy. But for me, this was $43 I am glad I spent.