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Coolant Pressure Test Help

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Old 05-03-2007, 07:45 PM
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Default Coolant Pressure Test Help

I rented a pressure tester and went and tried it on my car and started pumping it and coolant started coming out of the resorvoir and then where the tester goes onto the radiator "the cap". I thought it wasnt sealing at first and then I trried it on 2 other vehicles and it worked. Any ideas guys?
Old 05-03-2007, 09:59 PM
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come on guys
Old 05-03-2007, 10:27 PM
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Just curious what tester are you using? Where are you hooking it up?
Old 05-04-2007, 08:10 AM
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I am using the coolant pressure tester. It hooks on to the radiator where the radiator ca p goes on and then you pump it with air.
Old 05-04-2007, 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 1999ssls1
I am using the coolant pressure tester. It hooks on to the radiator where the radiator ca p goes on and then you pump it with air.
Ok I believe the stock radiator cap pressure is like 16-18 lbs so make sure the gauge on the tester does not go above that. Also if coolant is blowing into your reservoir with the correct pressure there is sealing problem between your tester and the neck of the radiator. Check the rubber seal on your tester for cracks/chunks missing and check the neck of the radiator for the same. Hope this helps.
P.S. Why are you performing this test? Overheating? Leaking? Coolant dissapearing?
Old 05-04-2007, 03:42 PM
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Coolant dissapearing and not leaking, in the oil, or out the exhaust.
Old 05-04-2007, 03:52 PM
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Was it just low after not checking it for a while or have you had to add coolant more than once? Definitely should not be flowing into your overflow when you pressure test it. Do you still have the stock radiator. The overflow hose should be connected to the neck on the radiator.
Old 05-04-2007, 04:14 PM
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Its all the way its supposed to be. I have had to fill it a few times
Old 05-04-2007, 05:22 PM
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I hate to scare you, but I think you may have a blown head gasket. If coolant is being burned in your engine it will not always smoke. I've had vehicles come in with small leaks in their head gaskets and the only way to tell was to use a cylinder leak down tester or one of these if your in a pinch.
http://www.blockchek.com/kits.htm

Or make sure your adapter looks like this one.
Scroll down to page 4 and look at MV103. This is the MityVac brand adapter for our cars, but any other brand will do as long as it looks like this.
http://www.mityvac.com/catalog/Adapt...tion_Guide.pdf
Old 05-04-2007, 08:51 PM
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Thats what Im thinking but it just now started doing this. I just built the motor and it has roughly 1100 miles on it.
Old 05-05-2007, 03:39 AM
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What brand head gasket did you use?
The following is part four in a series of excellent articles detailing a stroker build.
I've quoted a few lines that may or may not interest you.
Check it out.
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com..._engine_build/
"For example, coolant entering the crankcase will usually cause the oil to appear milky. The LS1 engine is known to occasionally have this happen when equipped with an MLS-style head gasket, but these leak issues usually only occur when the block or cylinder head deck is not properly prepped. "
and
"As soon as the coolant reaches full temperature (indicating that the thermostat has opened), turn the engine off and let it cool to the point where you can open the radiator cap. Top off the coolant as needed; this may need to be done a few times."
Did you do this?
Old 05-05-2007, 08:11 AM
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I used fel pro. I work on cars on the side and have done this a few times. I just cant figure it out. The ones Ive done so far always have coolant in with the oil.




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