Old wrench head and Ex Cornwell tools dealer here. If y’all youngsters looking for a pro tip: DO NOT be loyal to a brand, but be loyal to your wallet. Your career will pass you by before you know it. That’s just how time on this earth works. Save your money for investment purposes and don’t play/buy into the brand hype.
I live by this, I’m an independent contractor wrenching on heavy equipment for different railroad companies. When I first started out my tools were whatever I could get from Napas, HF, Tractor supply etc. Guess what, they still are lol. Now I make people’s yearly salary in a week and no matter how much money I make I’ll never justify spending $700 on 10 wrenches. Instead I take that money and buy heavy equipment so when theirs break down or they just want to have another machine on standby as a spare I lease it out to them for 8k-12k a month.
I learned it really helps to have the key in the ignition (engine off/ignition On 2nd position), then set the heater on high with the fan on low while using this device to pull a vacuum on the cooling system. The heater on/fan on low, will ensure all the coolant is sucked also from the heater core, ensuring no air pockets are left there either.
Thank you for this video. I just finished putting a Whipple Gen 5, 3.0 on my 2018 Mustang, and I was worried about getting all the air pockets out of the engine coolant and the intercooler/heat exchanger system. A buddy lent me his Maddox kit, but I was not sure how to use it properly, and this video has taken the guesswork out of this little project.
Great ... but how does one expell the ever present residual old coolant trapped in various location within the system ? Other units sold include a 3rd valve and line that can be opened to expel that residual old fluid into a bucket, this unit does not have that capability.
Thanks for posting this with the harbor freight tools..I'd almost like a little more info on how many psi is equivalent with the gauge but I'll try to look that up
It's minimal, but if you are worried about it, you close the fill hose when it sucks up some coolant. Then draw vacuum again, then open the now "primed" fill hose.
I guess you could also use this as a way to pressurize the system to easily find a leak, hook your regulated shop(15 psi or so) to the port that would normally suck up the coolant from your pan and just add pressure to the system. Right?
Any suggestions. I drained some coolant reinstalled plug and a valve. Put the Maddox tool on but can't get any vacuum. Checked and rechecked what I did and to make sure I didn't accident dislodge any hoses. I am sure I am overlooking something simple but can't figure out why the tool is not pulling a vacuum. Not even moving needle at all. I did make sure the hose for the new coolant was turned off.
When I have this problem it’s usually because the adapters aren’t sealing right, I then use the cone shaped/universal adapter and works good, I just hold the tool down to make sure it doesn’t pop off just in case.
Does the compressor size matter? I don't feel buying this and then dropping hundereds on a large compressor I'll probably only use once or twice a year. Wondering if I would be fine just picking up one of the small ones while I'm at Harbor.
1. Did you put heat control on full blast in vehicle before starting process-? Key ON engine OFF? and 2. Did you pinch off overflow tank before starting process? Thanks in advance.
it is for vacuum filling and testing. there is no way to pressurize the system with this too. generally remove the cap and opening the petcock or removing the lower hose is the best way to drain.
@@wrenchrat I suppose you could, I'm not sure why you would. if the goal is to drain the block I don't think trying to pressurize a radiator that also has the petcock on it would work. all wo would do is expedite the drain process.
@@johnnycoolguy9554 I bought this thinking you could vacuum evacuate thr fluid trapped in the block. I was disappointed when I found out it won't work for that.
no major issues with it so far, I have used it on 15 to 20 vehicles and the only thing I have to complain about and it is pretty minor, is that some times it top part wants to push out if you are using one of the adapters. a simple readjustment seems to take care of it. no you don't have to bleed the cooling system afterwards, it is 100 percent ready to rock. it is pretty slick
1) IMPÉRATIF: Le tube d'ANTIGEL doit être pré-rempli avant de procéder au remplissage. De la façon actuelle il y aura toute l'air du tube dans le moteur. 2). Il ne s'agit pas de 25 pouces mais de 25 PSI dans votre énoncé.
Old wrench head and Ex Cornwell tools dealer here. If y’all youngsters looking for a pro tip: DO NOT be loyal to a brand, but be loyal to your wallet. Your career will pass you by before you know it. That’s just how time on this earth works. Save your money for investment purposes and don’t play/buy into the brand hype.
couldn't agree more
Best thing i read all day
I had to learn the hard way.. use to fall for the snap on tool hype now i just go to harbor freight. They cheap and got warranty
I live by this, I’m an independent contractor wrenching on heavy equipment for different railroad companies. When I first started out my tools were whatever I could get from Napas, HF, Tractor supply etc. Guess what, they still are lol. Now I make people’s yearly salary in a week and no matter how much money I make I’ll never justify spending $700 on 10 wrenches. Instead I take that money and buy heavy equipment so when theirs break down or they just want to have another machine on standby as a spare I lease it out to them for 8k-12k a month.
This maybe a stupid question but how does it pull vacuum in the engine if the thermostat is closed
I think I'll pick one up from Harbor Frieght tomorrow. I appreciate your no nonsense video. Nice and straight to the point 👍
Nice video. Straight to the point on how to. Thank you.
I learned it really helps to have the key in the ignition (engine off/ignition On 2nd position), then set the heater on high with the fan on low while using this device to pull a vacuum on the cooling system. The heater on/fan on low, will ensure all the coolant is sucked also from the heater core, ensuring no air pockets are left there either.
Thank you for this video. I just finished putting a Whipple Gen 5, 3.0 on my 2018 Mustang, and I was worried about getting all the air pockets out of the engine coolant and the intercooler/heat exchanger system. A buddy lent me his Maddox kit, but I was not sure how to use it properly, and this video has taken the guesswork out of this little project.
Did this work for you.
@@gthomas5880 it did.
@gthomas5880 it did mostly. The design of the S550 reservoir makes it hard though.
Good video, Thank you! 😁
Nice video and happy you are using this Harbor Freight kit. I was looking at picking it up.
Awesome got mine and pull the bubble right out
Just what i needed ! thank you man!
Great video!
Thank you! Great video
Great ... but how does one expell the ever present residual old coolant trapped in various location within the system ? Other units sold include a 3rd valve and line that can be opened to expel that residual old fluid into a bucket, this unit does not have that capability.
Does all the coolant need to be flushed out first? Started to fill and can't get it to burp and didn't want to have to drain it again
That is nice to refill but in a closed system, how do you get coolant out of the block? Thank you.
This maybe a stupid question but how does it pull vacuum in the engine if the thermostat is closed?
If you don't have access to a radiator cap I'm assuming you just use the overflow tank to vac and fill? Correct? 2011 Buick Regal
correct
Thanks for posting this with the harbor freight tools..I'd almost like a little more info on how many psi is equivalent with the gauge but I'll try to look that up
Can I check for leaks without draining it ? Or does it need to be empty?
I got a pressure kit to test for leaks. Works magnificently
That cool no more turn on the engine or mess it up
What about the air you let in from the line before the anti freeze filled it?
For these types of refill kits you should bleed out the air from the coolant line prior to using on vehicle
That would be "lacking in air" considering you are under vacuum...
It's minimal, but if you are worried about it, you close the fill hose when it sucks up some coolant. Then draw vacuum again, then open the now "primed" fill hose.
2024 here, currently $87 haha
I guess you could also use this as a way to pressurize the system to easily find a leak, hook your regulated shop(15 psi or so) to the port that would normally suck up the coolant from your pan and just add pressure to the system. Right?
Any suggestions. I drained some coolant reinstalled plug and a valve. Put the Maddox tool on but can't get any vacuum. Checked and rechecked what I did and to make sure I didn't accident dislodge any hoses. I am sure I am overlooking something simple but can't figure out why the tool is not pulling a vacuum. Not even moving needle at all. I did make sure the hose for the new coolant was turned off.
When I have this problem it’s usually because the adapters aren’t sealing right, I then use the cone shaped/universal adapter and works good, I just hold the tool down to make sure it doesn’t pop off just in case.
Bought one of these ..pretty nice
Does the compressor size matter? I don't feel buying this and then dropping hundereds on a large compressor I'll probably only use once or twice a year. Wondering if I would be fine just picking up one of the small ones while I'm at Harbor.
it dose use alot of air. I believe the air requirements are on the website. I think if your compressor is large enough to run air tools it should work
Could this be used if the cooling system is already full? Looking to pull air out of a stubborn Ford freestar. Thanks in advance
not sure. if I had to guess I would say probably not
1. Did you put heat control on full blast in vehicle before starting process-? Key ON engine OFF? and 2. Did you pinch off overflow tank before starting process? Thanks in advance.
Pinch off the overflow yes, heater controls no. This tool is used without the engine running and elements the need to bleed the cooling system
Will this work on a radiator?
Can you use this to force coolant out after draining? Or does draining it with petcock and reservoir cap off generally do the trick?
it is for vacuum filling and testing. there is no way to pressurize the system with this too. generally remove the cap and opening the petcock or removing the lower hose is the best way to drain.
@@kylechristopherson4361 thanks for responding! I just picked this up and was going to try doing that, but I'm glad I won't waste my time now.
@@kylechristopherson4361 Could you use a pressure tester with the radiator drain (petcock) open to remove all the coolant?
@@wrenchrat I suppose you could, I'm not sure why you would. if the goal is to drain the block I don't think trying to pressurize a radiator that also has the petcock on it would work. all wo would do is expedite the drain process.
@@johnnycoolguy9554 I bought this thinking you could vacuum evacuate thr fluid trapped in the block. I was disappointed when I found out it won't work for that.
Any issues with it so far? Looking into getting one of these. Does the Vehicles cooling system need bled at all afterwards or is it good to go?
no major issues with it so far, I have used it on 15 to 20 vehicles and the only thing I have to complain about and it is pretty minor, is that some times it top part wants to push out if you are using one of the adapters. a simple readjustment seems to take care of it. no you don't have to bleed the cooling system afterwards, it is 100 percent ready to rock. it is pretty slick
@@kylechristopherson4361 Sweet thanks for the update!
How you used this on a subaru?
How much psi does a tank need for this to worl
the psi isn't as important as the capacity. I would think a 10 to 20 gallon would be sufficient
Would this work on a gm 5.3 with the pressure tank and no radiation cap
yes, it works quite well
Does it work with air?
yes, you need a compressor with a good size tank to operate this
1) IMPÉRATIF: Le tube d'ANTIGEL doit être pré-rempli avant de procéder au remplissage. De la façon actuelle il y aura toute l'air du tube dans le moteur.
2). Il ne s'agit pas de 25 pouces mais de 25 PSI dans votre énoncé.
Thank you. Great video.