Great idea about using the overflow tube for a pressure gauge. A lot of modern vehicles don't have radiator caps anymore so I made a tester for mine with a cheap bicycle pump and a flush and fill kit that was already installed on my truck.
Hi Matt, I really like your videos. I've been in the automotive business for many years and feel that we can always learn something new if we listen and share information. I would like to share something for everyones safety. I would recommend, if possible, before opening a cooling system, try to locate a radiator hose and squeeze it to make sure there is no pressure in the system. Keep the great videos coming, and happy wrenching. Thanks, Dave
My pressure tester for cars with remote expansion tanks is an adjustable pressure regulator and a tee to place in the line between the tank and the radiator. The best part is it tests the radiator cap seal as part of the cooling system pressure test.
You are my favorite auto tech on You Tube. I learn a lot and I like the combination of old school common sense and new technology. It is enjoyable and I have saved money too. Thanks for the great videos.
Great idea. I opted for the harbor freight one. Just a warning for those looking to buy the harbor freight one. You WILL need to put white thread tape on the metal bits in each adapter as they screw into plastic adapters that go on the rad. Comes with a pump and gauge like the one shown in this video. But I do like cheap and free.
Excellent idea with the rubber stoppers. I use those on power steering reservoirs to draw a vacuum and purge out trapped air. I'm going to rig something up to my Motive pressure bleeder to make things more universal when testing cooling systems.
I noticed a leak on my atlas compressor with a John deer engine while i was working on a un related part. so was looking to buy a tester . I saw your video and took a neopreme plug i use for plugging while powdercoating. found my leak around one of my hoses. So fun and easy. Thanks for the video.
A while back I actually purchased a set of rubber plugs that have a male end for an air line. I blow out hoses. Water pressure pumps and actually coolant systems. Works Awesome. But the gauge was my issue. May try this out thanks
i actually came up with the same idea using a stopper with hole and blow nozzle to find coolant leak a while back. What i never thought of was hooking up a pressure guage to the overflow tube..that was definitely cool.
+mrsargemeister I actually thought of that at last minute when I saw the overflow tube and just went with it lol. I also was just gonna try the stopper only
Great idea! Since watching I've thought of adapting it to use a car wheel schraeder valve and a battery operated tyre inflator. The schraeder valve could be pushed through the rubber bung thereby enabling it to take the inflator. The electric inflators have a pressure gauge on (usually). Or a bicylce pump could be used if an electric inflator not available.
Good video, you got a nice simple idea over well. When I do cooling system pressure test I use my home made cylinder leak down tester to control the pressure at 18 psi. I added a ball shut-off valve to the leak down tester so I can isolate the pressure from the air supply and check for slow leaks. I use this tool a lot as the models of cars I work on have a reputation for cooling system problems. To make a connection I have a T connection that fits between the small bore hose that runs between the radiator and the pressurized expansion
Matt - Great Job. Thanks for showing us. Fast, easy, cheap and it works. Like your tester rig a lot. Did you get any info for the Subaru test cap/fitting? Kinda guessing there would be a lot of people who need to know this and it would really save their bacon knowing which adapter to get. I saw Eric from SMA doing something similar. He didn't use the rubber stopper but he did test through the overflow connection with a similar air hose nozzle. He had the air nozzle blow through the overflow fitting and checked the upper radiator hose to make sure it was pressurized. He didn't a Gage because he already tested it. He was basically just giving tips and tricks for all us DIY'rs and it was a simple after the repair second check/validity of system integrity using the vehicle's cap as the plug kinda thing.
I have a similar pile of junk tester and I found some rubber washers the same size as the filler neck that filled the gap between the adaptor and the neck to make it fit tight.
I had the same problem with a 1996 2.5L Subaru Outback, I had already done a HG once shortly after I bought the car! It part of it was a bad radiator, bad radiator cap, and a few other just plain weird things! For a while I would not go anywhere with out a few gallons of coolant- coming from an aircraft back ground- I know horizonally apposed engines- the Subaru is a funky design, I guess they are fine brand new, but not when they got a few miles on them, mine has 206K on it and I not put 20 thousand miles on it the 24 months I had it- its an old car so its to be expected, good learning experience thou, and its a fairly simple car for a beginner home wrench to work on!
This guy put a Schrader valve in a cheap radiator cap: ruclips.net/video/oqqv4iscYWU/видео.html How about putting a Schrader valve in a rubber cork, plugging the other hole, and testing a replacement heater core? I do not want to swap it three times!
this is BRILLIANT!!!!....my only suggestion is to put this idea into production!...small bicycle pump,a few medical stoppers with holes already in them...a couple feet of tubing....BAM...25-30$......as opposed to a 90$ kit that only test CAPS????...or the neat 50$ add on that only works vehicle specific........this is.an absolute winner!!!
Not all cars have radiator caps before the over flow. ..still gold. I have another bit of excitement, I keep forgetting you can bleed a coolant system faster with pressure! Super time saver!
+DE Nichols Yes on models with combination overflow and reservoir instead of a radiator cap (GM N models) you would simply plug the cap and crimp the overflow hose (or deadhead it with a pressure gauge)
Clever way to make a working tester. I bought a professional 'fit-all' system and it doesn't work on my pickup, the primary reason for getting the kit. What the heck.
Now sometimes the radiator failure is due to an overheating problem. You can't assume just by replacing the radiator that this is a complete fix. You should conduct another pressure test after the replacement to ensure there's not another leak in the system.
Hi Matt, I use a collection of three different sized rubber plugs just like you have. Holes drilled in them and quick disconnect nipple inserted. I use regulator at compressor to control pressure. Hook it up and turn on the air. That's it.
+Schrodingers Box Hi Matt, If you're talking a static "leak down" test, just make sure that your quick disconnects are tight and shut off the valve at the compressor tank. I'll shoot you pics of my current bung set if you want to post, but I need a way to get them to you. By the way, these are available at Ace Hardware for all interested for about average $2 a piece.
+Schrodingers Box BTW, you should be able to hear it, but if not, a little Windex or other household cleaner with a propensity to foam (as you might use for house gas line check) is a good method to confirm a tight seal.
General Motors. Uses a water hose and connects it in. That's how specialist work. They just leave the water pressure on there. find leak. You'll never get over like 10 to 15 lb Whatever your radiator cap call for. They find a lot of intake leaks this way
Hi Matt great video thanks it will save me and everyone from buying a pressure tester. question:where did you get a door stopper that size? my radiator opening is 1 1/8" dia.
What about using a cork/bung with a tire valve stem glued into it? That way you could use a regular tire inflater (from your compressor) to both pressurise and monitor the pressure.
I was just thinking of using a the 5/16ths vent hose on my Chevvy Cruze.. cut a tee into that and hook a hose to connect the airline and pressure guage.. That way you don't even need a rubber stopper and would be better for tiny leaks that you might want to test over several hours.
You mentioned near the end of this video that you can you get the air out of your system using pressure. How this is done is not clear to me. Would like to see a video on how this is done.
you could just cut a metal O-ring or washer so it look like a C. drop it in the radiator neck put the radiator cap back on top. That cut O-ring would push the spring up and leave a gap for air pressure to flow throw the overfill tube down to the radiator!!
Just a Thought do you have a cylinder leak down tester with a regulator on it? you can use that with your rubber stopper and set your pressure.also you could just buy a new radiator cap for the car and drill and tread it. then take your rubber stoppers, one that might fit under the cap and drill a hole in it to deal the over flow tub.
exactly, i was hoping that something creative would happen, but then a feeling of rejoice as soon as you found the issue. Perhaps you can find why the radiator failed. Factory defective, user error, oxidation, you mentioned in you head gasket video that if you don't find the reason for the failure you will likely be doing the job again.
+Schrodingers Box Matt, just thinking out loud here, could you use a Subaru radiator cap with a hole drilled in the center and using a threaded (on one end) air hose fitting that's secured with rubber gasket material on the underneath side of the cap, on the other end a 1/4" barbed hose nipple on the other end and connect a rubber hose to the tester?
ahhhhhh....... never mind. just watched a video a guy made putting a air valve in the radiator overflow hose . using a zip tie . He pumped up the radiator thru the valve with the bicycle pump. That way you can test the system including the radiator cap without even needing plugs at the radiator cap connection. Your making us think Matt. THANKS
+dcbigsky How did he test both the cap and system through the overflow??? That is impossible. The cap seals BELOW the overflow. He only tested the the cap mating surface, not the system unless he did something I am unaware of.
+dcbigsky I can understand how it put pressure into the rad as rad caps have two valves the main pressure relief valve and a second smaller one way vacuum breaker valve to let air back in when the system cools down but I suspect it will leak a lot of air as the lid of the cap isn't designed as a pressure seal.
Thinking about the same procedure but instead doing everything from the overflow hose with a Tee fitting for the gauge (leave the radiator cap on ) can you direct me to a gauge with a proper port similar to what you were using but maybe a higher PSI reading like 20 or 50 PSI.? Also what about turning the regulator down on the compressor to say 15 PSI would that be feasible, trying without a gauge ?
No thumbs down here. Makes sense. I'm actually releived to tell my customer that's it's just their radiator and nothing more. Think outside the box. Just did one today.
An alternative method that usually works without tools is to run the car until it's warmed up. Arm yourself with a flashlight and then turn the car off. Pressure is at it's max now and you can usually spot the leak with a flashlight.
I reused a broken/defect temp sensor and drill trough to glue in a tube nipple from a large truck tire that is made of brass and has a tube of a few inchhes so that I can use my bike pump to get it pressurised. Great benefit of this appoach is that it also automatically test the radiator cap which can also be faulty
@@SchrodingersBox the additional benefit is that the cap still releases any over pressure from bike pump and even air compressor to prevent damaging the fragile and costly radiator
Damn it! I was hoping you were going to go all out finding this leak! I have a Subaru (a few of them) that smells of water and uses water. I'll have to try your idea.
I could see a very few simple fittings with a small gauge and even Mabey a small cheap knob regulator and it would be tits. Could put a quick connect for the air line then a small regulator then the gauge. Awesome
Can see where that would work in a lot of cases but then you have all the assortments of plugs available to you. Won't do any good testing radiator caps
I had the same problem on my 96 Sonoma and I could smell antifreeze but never saw it , it would leak about a quart every 2-3 weeks . after I changed the radiator cap it completely stopped
Hey Schrodinger, I have been chasing a coolant leak on my 09 Subaru Forester XT for quite a while now. Having recently replaced my oem radiator due to a split like in your video, I still smell coolant. I have pressure tested the system with a pump similar to yours, although I believe the included fitting seals well on my radiators expansion tank. I had pumped it up to approx 16psi and within 10 minutes or so it will drop to about 14psi. Would you consider this normal? Pumping any more pressure results in it not holding pressure (I suspect due to this cooling system having two radiator caps - the other one thats in place is set to open at 16/18psi from memory) Would it be safe to clamp off the overflow to keep the pressure in the system to help find the leak?
Schrodingers Box thanks, but I don't think this car has one of those. It's the same running gear a as a 2008 WRX, 2.5L turbo charged. If so, where abouts would it be ?
Schrodingers Box compression test was 120-120 and 125-125. Leak down was hard to perform with the limited room to work with but it was leaking quite a bit - test reported 60-70% leak down from memory. Car still runs great and has plenty of punch so I think I didn't get everything lined up correctly
+R HEIDEMAN Hahahaha!! Yeah it will work better than my $280 Stant setup I guarantee!!!! I wish I thought of this first and I would never have bought the Stant kit!
Yeah thinkin about drilling another stopper with a skinny unibit and siliconeing a tire valve stem in from the backside to use to hold pressure on the system.
Not trying to look like a daydream Johnny but why pressurize the system. I just use the top seal of cap and spare tank acts as a bubbler or draws in coolant when it cools.
Oh ya forgot to say in last post that I'm going to make a tester hose to hook to the radiator overflow access with a T in it so both a air valve access and a pressure gauge ca be hooked to it. thanks matt
+dcbigsky I still hold that you cannot test the SYSTEM through the overflow with the cap on. The whole point of the cap is to seal the system unless pressure is past spec in which case only then it recoils to open to the overflow.
+Schrodingers Box Yep your right Matt ..... don't know what I was thinking . I saw that video how to make a dyi coolant pressure tester by mr42ndstblvd and now I realize where he was saying see where its showing a leak .........ahhhh thats just stagnant anifreeze HE got me. Thanks for pointing out where I totally overlooked why it couldn,t work
+Brad Halstead HAHAHA... All I can say is Joe tells everyone about me now. I am booked 3 weeks out now. I used to only get 3 cars every few months lol.
+Schrodingers Box Thanks for the shout out on my St.Lou trip Matt. When I turned the key on here in Denver there was no doubt in my mind I wouldn't make it to the 'Lou
+Schrodingers Box Thanks for the shout out on my St.Lou trip Matt. When I turned the key on here in Denver there was no doubt in my mind I wouldn't make it to the 'Lou....
Joseph Duncan My pleasure Joe- next time I see you I hope it isn't for that jeep!! You've been a great sport through this and as you see it's helped a lot of people!
+James Brewer I've had those for years and years... they are rubber stoppers used for laboratory work to block flasks and test tubes and such. I am sure they are available on Amazon or something and used for other purposes.
Subaru radiators are junk so that is a common problem. Although, for a car of the vintage in the video, not the original radiator. Also, there's the head gasket problem. However, the most common coolant leak I encounter occurs where the upper radiator hose connects to the pipe on top of the engine. There is something about that cast piece that prevents a good seal to the hose.
+Schrodingers Box Evidence? Well, thinking back to coolant leaks on Subarus I have repaired I remember a radiator, a water pump, a pinhole leak in a hose coming off of the water pump and four times where the above hose connection was leaking. That is it for my memory bank. The thing about this hose connection is that it hides under the air intake and shroud covering the accessory belts. And even when you remove them you have to feel under for wetness. So, it is sneaky.
+Lorrin Barth Wait, I didn't make a diagnosis, all I did was offer a helpful hint. As for radiators, I don't like the style now in use with plastic tanks. As shown here, the failure of the seal between the core and tank is only a matter of when. This type of radiator is often inexpensive but a radiator with welded tanks has a chance of lasting the life of the vehicle. In the age of iridium spark plugs and stainless steel exhaust, car makers are causing owners to accept the radiator as being a maintenance item.
+bob b Because I don't want to drain the coolant so as not to cause coolant to leak everywhere so I can't find the leak, then T into a heater hose which I can' t even reach without disassembling the engine, then refill the system and then fix the problem and put it all back together when I can just do what I did.
yes I noticed that too. I originally thought it was because the owner just topped off the antifreeze that day but now I suspect it was overflow past the cap when it overheated.
+Schrodinger's Box Quantum Mekanix Andy has a good point there! You could just hook a bike pump to the overflow tube and pump it up. The TOP of the rad cap should hold pressure up to its safety blow-off at around 20psi or so :) A rad cap is actually three one-way valves in one unit!
Nope, that method indeed pressurizes the whole system. You can even take the pump off and the system will stay pressurized to the cap rating ~15psi (assuming the cap is functional and there are no huge leaks). TRY IT BRO!!
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Great idea about using the overflow tube for a pressure gauge. A lot of modern vehicles don't have radiator caps anymore so I made a tester for mine with a cheap bicycle pump and a flush and fill kit that was already installed on my truck.
Hi Matt, I really like your videos. I've been in the automotive business for many years and feel that we can always learn something new if we listen and share information. I would like to share something for everyones safety. I would recommend, if possible, before opening a cooling system, try to locate a radiator hose and squeeze it to make sure there is no pressure in the system.
Keep the great videos coming, and happy wrenching. Thanks, Dave
My pressure tester for cars with remote expansion tanks is an adjustable pressure regulator and a tee to place in the line between the tank and the radiator. The best part is it tests the radiator cap seal as part of the cooling system pressure test.
You are my favorite auto tech on You Tube. I learn a lot and I like the combination of old school common sense and new technology. It is enjoyable and I have saved money too. Thanks for the great videos.
Thanks man. glad you found this channel.
Great idea. I opted for the harbor freight one. Just a warning for those looking to buy the harbor freight one. You WILL need to put white thread tape on the metal bits in each adapter as they screw into plastic adapters that go on the rad. Comes with a pump and gauge like the one shown in this video. But I do like cheap and free.
Excellent idea with the rubber stoppers. I use those on power steering reservoirs to draw a vacuum and purge out trapped air. I'm going to rig something up to my Motive pressure bleeder to make things more universal when testing cooling systems.
I noticed a leak on my atlas compressor with a John deer engine while i was working on a un related part. so was looking to buy a tester . I saw your video and took a neopreme plug i use for plugging while powdercoating. found my leak around one of my hoses. So fun and easy. Thanks for the video.
A while back I actually purchased a set of rubber plugs that have a male end for an air line. I blow out hoses. Water pressure pumps and actually coolant systems. Works Awesome. But the gauge was my issue. May try this out thanks
nice and simple when in a jam you can get things done well done matt keep them coming big up from the uk
Speak of the...! I was just thinking of buying a coolant pressure tester.
Haven't watched it yet. Intrigued!
+DE Nichols DONT BUY ONE YET lol!!!!!
Schrodingers Box So I can trust this book by it's cover? Lol
+DE Nichols I believe so!! I am going to use this instead of my stant. So much faster!!
i actually came up with the same idea using a stopper with hole and blow nozzle to find coolant leak a while back. What i never thought of was hooking up a pressure guage to the overflow tube..that was definitely cool.
+mrsargemeister I actually thought of that at last minute when I saw the overflow tube and just went with it lol. I also was just gonna try the stopper only
Love this guy, I'm DIY EVERYTHING because of guys like this.😎👍
Neat idea on the cooling system pressure tester. May want to take up a collection to replace that customers battery.
+Sandbag1300 BWHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Yes I actually cleaned the battery and terminals before returning the car to them in fact as I thought the same!!
Great idea! Since watching I've thought of adapting it to use a car wheel schraeder valve and a battery operated tyre inflator. The schraeder valve could be pushed through the rubber bung thereby enabling it to take the inflator. The electric inflators have a pressure gauge on (usually). Or a bicylce pump could be used if an electric inflator not available.
Nice of you to help the customer out.
Good video, you got a nice simple idea over well. When I do cooling system pressure test I use my home made cylinder leak down tester to control the pressure at 18 psi.
I added a ball shut-off valve to the leak down tester so I can isolate the pressure from the air supply and check for slow leaks. I use this tool a lot as the models of cars I work on have a reputation for cooling system problems. To make a connection I have a T connection that fits between the small bore hose that runs between the radiator and the pressurized expansion
Really cool idea. I would have never thought to do that.
Thumbs up for supporting other countries! Nice one Matt
Matt - Great Job. Thanks for showing us. Fast, easy, cheap and it works. Like your tester rig a lot. Did you get any info for the Subaru test cap/fitting? Kinda guessing there would be a lot of people who need to know this and it would really save their bacon knowing which adapter to get.
I saw Eric from SMA doing something similar. He didn't use the rubber stopper but he did test through the overflow connection with a similar air hose nozzle. He had the air nozzle blow through the overflow fitting and checked the upper radiator hose to make sure it was pressurized. He didn't a Gage because he already tested it. He was basically just giving tips and tricks for all us DIY'rs and it was a simple after the repair second check/validity of system integrity using the vehicle's cap as the plug kinda thing.
I have a similar pile of junk tester and I found some rubber washers the same size as the filler neck that filled the gap between the adaptor and the neck to make it fit tight.
I had the same problem with a 1996 2.5L Subaru Outback, I had already done a HG once shortly after I bought the car! It part of it was a bad radiator, bad radiator cap, and a few other just plain weird things! For a while I would not go anywhere with out a few gallons of coolant- coming from an aircraft back ground- I know horizonally apposed engines- the Subaru is a funky design, I guess they are fine brand new, but not when they got a few miles on them, mine has 206K on it and I not put 20 thousand miles on it the 24 months I had it- its an old car so its to be expected, good learning experience thou, and its a fairly simple car for a beginner home wrench to work on!
Great idea!
This guy put a Schrader valve in a cheap radiator cap: ruclips.net/video/oqqv4iscYWU/видео.html
How about putting a Schrader valve in a rubber cork, plugging the other hole, and testing a replacement heater core?
I do not want to swap it three times!
this is BRILLIANT!!!!....my only suggestion is to put this idea into production!...small bicycle pump,a few medical stoppers with holes already in them...a couple feet of tubing....BAM...25-30$......as opposed to a 90$ kit that only test CAPS????...or the neat 50$ add on that only works vehicle specific........this is.an absolute winner!!!
The best idea for the purpose with lil or next to nothing invested! Thanx for sharing
Not all cars have radiator caps before the over flow. ..still gold.
I have another bit of excitement, I keep forgetting you can bleed a coolant system faster with pressure! Super time saver!
+DE Nichols. ha or vacuum , a pro tech like you must use one of these at your shop. www.amazon.com/UView-550000-Airlift-Cooling-Checker/dp/B0002SRH5G
+DE Nichols Yes on models with combination overflow and reservoir instead of a radiator cap (GM N models) you would simply plug the cap and crimp the overflow hose (or deadhead it with a pressure gauge)
Clever way to make a working tester. I bought a professional 'fit-all' system and it doesn't work on my pickup, the primary reason for getting the kit. What the heck.
To build an adapter, use an old radiator cap that has a pressure safety valve. hope someone made a movie how to build this. Grettings from Sweden.
Now sometimes the radiator failure is due to an overheating problem. You can't assume just by replacing the radiator that this is a complete fix. You should conduct another pressure test after the replacement to ensure there's not another leak in the system.
Great channel , always great ideas and helpful tips.thanks very much.
Hi Matt,
I use a collection of three different sized rubber plugs just like you have. Holes drilled in them and quick disconnect nipple inserted. I use regulator at compressor to control pressure. Hook it up and turn on the air. That's it.
+kermit80526 Lol that's pretty much what I plan on doing. Screw these $70-$85 Stant adapters!!!!
+Schrodingers Box yep the only real concern is with them blowing out occasionally so I usually just keep my pressure around 10 to 12 pounds or so
kermit80526 What do you do for a decay test, say for a head gasket or something?
+Schrodingers Box Hi Matt, If you're talking a static "leak down" test, just make sure that your quick disconnects are tight and shut off the valve at the compressor tank. I'll shoot you pics of my current bung set if you want to post, but I need a way to get them to you. By the way, these are available at Ace Hardware for all interested for about average $2 a piece.
+Schrodingers Box BTW, you should be able to hear it, but if not, a little Windex or other household cleaner with a propensity to foam (as you might use for house gas line check) is a good method to confirm a tight seal.
General Motors. Uses a water hose and connects it in. That's how specialist work. They just leave the water pressure on there. find leak. You'll never get over like 10 to 15 lb Whatever your radiator cap call for. They find a lot of intake leaks this way
I like this. I am definitely taking notes for this Matt.
+White Tiger Yeah I don't think I'll be using the Stant much except for decay tests. This honestly worked way, way better than the Stant kit!!
I need to try this on my 1986 truck cuz it drives me nuts. Great video 👍🏼
Thank you so much for your work. Saludos from Mexico. Loreto bcs
Hi Matt great video thanks it will save me and everyone from buying a pressure tester. question:where did you get a door stopper that size? my radiator opening is 1 1/8" dia.
I have had those for years from when I worked in a laboratory lol.
What about using a cork/bung with a tire valve stem glued into it? That way you could use a regular tire inflater (from your compressor) to both pressurise and monitor the pressure.
+mungewell How would I measure the pressure?
+Schrodinger's Box Quantum Mekanix How about using a fuel pressure tester on that shreiders valve ? My fuel tester has the same size.
+Schrodinger's Box Quantum Mekanix
Many bike pumps have gauges built in.
+zeferrum I am not sure a fuel pressure tester will measure air pressure like a vacuum gauge would.
+Schrodinger's Box Quantum Mekanix Hate to challenge the master... but pressure is pressure. It will work fine.
I was just thinking of using a the 5/16ths vent hose on my Chevvy Cruze.. cut a tee into that and hook a hose to connect the airline and pressure guage.. That way you don't even need a rubber stopper and would be better for tiny leaks that you might want to test over several hours.
made one with bicycle pump today and it worked great.
Awesome! Incredibly simple. I love it! Currently trying to solve air in Honda system.Thanks..Gotta go find a stopper like that though
You mentioned near the end of this video that you can you get the air out of your system using pressure. How this is done is not clear to me. Would like to see a video on how this is done.
Yes, you can "burp" the system by pressurizing it. Air will escape the bleed valve.
you could just cut a metal O-ring or washer so it look like a C. drop it in the radiator neck put the radiator cap back on top. That cut O-ring would push the spring up and leave a gap for air pressure to flow throw the overfill tube down to the radiator!!
Not a bad idea!
Just a Thought do you have a cylinder leak down tester with a regulator on it? you can use that with your rubber stopper and set your pressure.also you could just buy a new radiator cap for the car and drill and tread it. then take your rubber stoppers, one that might fit under the cap and drill a hole in it to deal the over flow tub.
You may have just saved me 90 dollars! Awesome! Thanks!
well fucking done, i was skeptical that your contraption would work...
+WhyDidYouTurn Hahaha I actually was more afraid it would just pop the cork off and hit me in the face before anything happened to indicate a leak.
exactly, i was hoping that something creative would happen, but then a feeling of rejoice as soon as you found the issue. Perhaps you can find why the radiator failed. Factory defective, user error, oxidation, you mentioned in you head gasket video that if you don't find the reason for the failure you will likely be doing the job again.
I would also be interested in a source for those rubber "corks" and the sizes you recommend to fit most cars/radiators
+Russell Jones Ace hardware has a great collection for average $2 a piece.
+kermit80526 Thanks :-)
I bet I could do something like this using one of the radiator cap adapters from the Lisle Coolant Funnel kit I have.
+anti0918 Oh good idea!
+Schrodingers Box Matt, just thinking out loud here, could you use a Subaru radiator cap with a hole drilled in the center and using a threaded (on one end) air hose fitting that's secured with rubber gasket material on the underneath side of the cap, on the other end a 1/4" barbed hose nipple on the other end and connect a rubber hose to the tester?
Hawaiian F150 Yes it is possible to fabricate something like that
ahhhhhh....... never mind. just watched a video a guy made putting a air valve in the radiator overflow hose . using a zip tie . He pumped up the radiator thru the valve with the bicycle pump. That way you can test the system including the radiator cap without even needing plugs at the radiator cap connection. Your making us think Matt. THANKS
+dcbigsky How did he test both the cap and system through the overflow??? That is impossible. The cap seals BELOW the overflow. He only tested the the cap mating surface, not the system unless he did something I am unaware of.
+dcbigsky
I can understand how it put pressure into the rad as rad caps
have two valves the main pressure relief valve and a second smaller one
way vacuum breaker valve to let air back in when the system cools down
but I suspect it will leak a lot of air as the lid of the cap isn't
designed as a pressure seal.
Andrew W MacFadyen Exactly. At best he's testing the lid seal not the actual cap seal
+Andrew W MacFadyen I am assuming that the section of hose going to the overflow/recovery tank is pinched tight.
Thank you for all your videos Matt
Love it !!!
Bro you are the best hands down
+707pimp1 Lol thanks. 7 years and I have yet to give up on something. If there's a will there's a way.
Thinking about the same procedure but instead doing everything from the overflow hose with a Tee fitting for the gauge (leave the radiator cap on ) can you direct me to a gauge with a proper port similar to what you were using but maybe a higher PSI reading like 20 or 50 PSI.? Also what about turning the regulator down on the compressor to say 15 PSI would that be feasible, trying without a gauge ?
Excellent video. Keep them coming.
good way to get by in a jamb when pressure testing the cooling system
No thumbs down here. Makes sense. I'm actually releived to tell my customer that's it's just their radiator and nothing more. Think outside the box. Just did one today.
An alternative method that usually works without tools is to run the car until it's warmed up. Arm yourself with a flashlight and then turn the car off. Pressure is at it's max now and you can usually spot the leak with a flashlight.
It's leaking into the oil
hey Matt, great video. where did you get that rubber piece to put on the radiator hole?
I have a collection of rubber stoppers from my laboratory lol
I reused a broken/defect temp sensor and drill trough to glue in a tube nipple from a large truck tire that is made of brass and has a tube of a few inchhes so that I can use my bike pump to get it pressurised. Great benefit of this appoach is that it also automatically test the radiator cap which can also be faulty
Genius idea!!!!!
@@SchrodingersBox the additional benefit is that the cap still releases any over pressure from bike pump and even air compressor to prevent damaging the fragile and costly radiator
@@SchrodingersBox here is my first attempt
ruclips.net/user/shortsYoYIQJZrBKE?feature=share
Maybe try a 'O' ring to fill the gap between the radiator and the adapter to make up the sealing gap.
+John Kimmel Good idea- I'll try that!
I am 40 seconds into the video. As soon as he said Subaru, I shouted "HEAD GASKET"
Makes no sense. You come to conclusion with absolutely no data whatsoever???
@@SchrodingersBox No, Just a guess. I saw the ending and was pleasantly suprised
Hi Matt I used a Bath Tub Drain Stopper 1 1/8"-1 1/4" fits my honda 2003 acura el 1.7
Good idea!!
Damn it! I was hoping you were going to go all out finding this leak! I have a Subaru (a few of them) that smells of water and uses water. I'll have to try your idea.
how about drilling the radiator cap and inserting tyre valve stem in the hole?
Not a bad idea except you would have to make a series of these for all different car models
thanks for reply!
I could see a very few simple fittings with a small gauge and even Mabey a small cheap knob regulator and it would be tits. Could put a quick connect for the air line then a small regulator then the gauge. Awesome
+Jason Curry Yes indeed some modification could be done as such- When my Stant finally bites it I'll probably do that.
I had the same issue with my 03 subaru wrx, I have the harbor freight kit none of the adapters would fit.
good job thanx but i need to understand why u used compressor air and didnt use the testing set
+prince way As stated in the video, the adapter the did not work on this vehicle
ok thanx bro
Can see where that would work in a lot of cases but then you have all the assortments of plugs available to you. Won't do any good testing radiator caps
+dcbigsky It is not designed to test the cap- you could however do that by tapping into a smaller coolant line and pressurizing with cap on.
I had the same problem on my 96 Sonoma and I could smell antifreeze but never saw it , it would leak about a quart every 2-3 weeks . after I changed the radiator cap it completely stopped
Hey Schrodinger, I have been chasing a coolant leak on my 09 Subaru Forester XT for quite a while now. Having recently replaced my oem radiator due to a split like in your video, I still smell coolant.
I have pressure tested the system with a pump similar to yours, although I believe the included fitting seals well on my radiators expansion tank. I had pumped it up to approx 16psi and within 10 minutes or so it will drop to about 14psi. Would you consider this normal? Pumping any more pressure results in it not holding pressure (I suspect due to this cooling system having two radiator caps - the other one thats in place is set to open at 16/18psi from memory) Would it be safe to clamp off the overflow to keep the pressure in the system to help find the leak?
I’d suspect internal leak at intake gasket.
Schrodingers Box thanks, but I don't think this car has one of those. It's the same running gear a as a 2008 WRX, 2.5L turbo charged. If so, where abouts would it be ?
Done some more troubleshooting, I believe this is conclusive..ruclips.net/video/naIODIYqYsw/видео.html
I would still confirm with leakdown or compression test.
Schrodingers Box compression test was 120-120 and 125-125. Leak down was hard to perform with the limited room to work with but it was leaking quite a bit - test reported 60-70% leak down from memory. Car still runs great and has plenty of punch so I think I didn't get everything lined up correctly
really impressive way to go i think i have a bad rad
guess what I'm doing today....testing for a leak in a subi 2.5 litre. with a homemade pressure tester. Thanks Matt! 👍👍👍
+R HEIDEMAN Hahahaha!! Yeah it will work better than my $280 Stant setup I guarantee!!!! I wish I thought of this first and I would never have bought the Stant kit!
Yeah thinkin about drilling another stopper with a skinny unibit and siliconeing a tire valve stem in from the backside to use to hold pressure on the system.
R HEIDEMAN Yes thats a good idea, I though about that too. Also thought making similar device for pressure brake bleeding would be good,
Friggin sweet. Btw....the 1996 subi 2.5......head assket. Soab!. Mabee I'll try some magical mystery metel master mender. Lol.
Thank you sir for this great video.
that is a great idea where did you get the different plugsfor the top of the radiator it would be much appreciatedthank you
+gonz garr Lol I have no idea where I got them. We have tons of them in the laboratory I work in
+gonz garr Ace hardware has a great collection for average $2 a piece.
Free pressure testers for all, Bernie 2020! (just kidding, Bernie's horrible)
That battery is screaming 'clean me before I cause all sorts of electrical issues'!
Where can I get the rubber stoppers. Awesome idea 💡
+tbz02 Ace hardware has a great collection for average $2 a piece.
+tbz02 Lowes or Home Depot have them in their hardware drawers.
Not trying to look like a daydream Johnny but why pressurize the system. I just use the top seal of cap and spare tank acts as a bubbler or draws in coolant when it cools.
How is that going to find the leak?
excellent video .whats the size of the plug and where I can get it .thanks and GOD bless
+alan H Ace hardware has a great collection for average $2 a piece.
Very helpful. Thank you
Thank u very much nice video as always
Did anyone see that battery!!! You got a quick clean on that, right?
+Mike Pratali hahaha yes I did clean it and the terminals before returning the car
Who the hell thumbs down these videos ?
That would be the ....douche bags
+Corynne Jones lols
+Ifeco Jahs LOL!!
+Tom N caitlyn jenner
testbooster hahaha Would Caitlin count as two thumbs down? One for her and one for Bruce?
Geeez.... Bruce. JHC.
Nice alternative if you don't have a cooling system pressure tester.
+Adrian King ... and even if you do have one lol. Mine was useless!!!
They won't work because Subaru wants you to take it to the dealer. We have an 01 Outback and I had to make one to fit properly
Any videos of you burping the cooling system with a pressure tester?
not that I know of. don’t really do videos on basic maintenance on this channel sorry.
recently I didn’t see your nice videos
hi can you make a video on how to rebuild transfer case and 4x4 it can help a lot of techs.
thanks
+victor guardado I do not rebuild such components, it is just not cost or time effective for me sorry.
great work thanks friend
Oh ya forgot to say in last post that I'm going to make a tester hose to hook to the radiator overflow access with a T in it so both a air valve access and a pressure gauge ca be hooked to it. thanks matt
+dcbigsky I still hold that you cannot test the SYSTEM through the overflow with the cap on. The whole point of the cap is to seal the system unless pressure is past spec in which case only then it recoils to open to the overflow.
+Schrodingers Box Yep your right Matt ..... don't know what I was thinking . I saw that video how to make a dyi coolant pressure tester by mr42ndstblvd and now I realize where he was saying see where its showing a leak .........ahhhh thats just stagnant anifreeze HE got me. Thanks for pointing out where I totally overlooked why it couldn,t work
dcbigsky His channel wasn't pay I hope lol
Awesome rig! And, should we expect anything less than a working Jeep from you? lol ;) Great job!
+Brad Halstead HAHAHA... All I can say is Joe tells everyone about me now. I am booked 3 weeks out now. I used to only get 3 cars every few months lol.
+Schrodingers Box Thanks for the shout out on my St.Lou trip Matt. When I turned the key on here in Denver there was no doubt in my mind I wouldn't make it to the 'Lou
+Schrodingers Box Thanks for the shout out on my St.Lou trip Matt. When I turned the key on here in Denver there was no doubt in my mind I wouldn't make it to the 'Lou....
Joseph Duncan My pleasure Joe- next time I see you I hope it isn't for that jeep!! You've been a great sport through this and as you see it's helped a lot of people!
+Schrodingers Box You'll be seeing it again! I'll need a tune up when it hits 400,000 miles. Lol
brilliant!
Where did you get all those various stoppers ?
+James Brewer I've had those for years and years... they are rubber stoppers used for laboratory work to block flasks and test tubes and such. I am sure they are available on Amazon or something and used for other purposes.
+Schrodingers Box I found them, sometimes it's all about knowing the right wording.thanks
+James Brewer Ace hardware has a great collection for average $2 a piece.
Subaru radiators are junk so that is a common problem. Although, for a car of the vintage in the video, not the original radiator. Also, there's the head gasket problem. However, the most common coolant leak I encounter occurs where the upper radiator hose connects to the pipe on top of the engine. There is something about that cast piece that prevents a good seal to the hose.
+Lorrin Barth What is the data showing evidence to your conclusions? I see no logical neccessitation of any such diagnosis
+Schrodingers Box Evidence? Well, thinking back to coolant leaks on Subarus I have repaired I remember a radiator, a water pump, a pinhole leak in a hose coming off of the water pump and four times where the above hose connection was leaking. That is it for my memory bank.
The thing about this hose connection is that it hides under the air intake and shroud covering the accessory belts. And even when you remove them you have to feel under for wetness. So, it is sneaky.
+Lorrin Barth Wait, I didn't make a diagnosis, all I did was offer a helpful hint.
As for radiators, I don't like the style now in use with plastic tanks. As shown here, the failure of the seal between the core and tank is only a matter of when. This type of radiator is often inexpensive but a radiator with welded tanks has a chance of lasting the life of the vehicle. In the age of iridium spark plugs and stainless steel exhaust, car makers are causing owners to accept the radiator as being a maintenance item.
why not just tap into the heater hose with a t adapter. your tester has a pipe thread fitting
+bob b Because I don't want to drain the coolant so as not to cause coolant to leak everywhere so I can't find the leak, then T into a heater hose which I can'
t even reach without disassembling the engine, then refill the system and then fix the problem and put it all back together when I can just do what I did.
cool idea!
Brilliant! Have to try that. I thought the leak was coming out of the battery. (Just kidding)! That battery is crusty thought.
yes I noticed that too. I originally thought it was because the owner just topped off the antifreeze that day but now I suspect it was overflow past the cap when it overheated.
You’re a good man
why dont you just live the radio cao on and conect the overflow tube to the pressure testere inplace of the adapter?
+bn1andy Because I want to test the system pressure not just the seal of very top of the cap. A radiator cap works BELOW the overflow
+Schrodinger's Box Quantum Mekanix Andy has a good point there! You could just hook a bike pump to the overflow tube and pump it up. The TOP of the rad cap should hold pressure up to its safety blow-off at around 20psi or so :) A rad cap is actually three one-way valves in one unit!
+motoYam82 But that just tests the top of the cap., I want to test the system
Nope, that method indeed pressurizes the whole system. You can even take the pump off and the system will stay pressurized to the cap rating ~15psi (assuming the cap is functional and there are no huge leaks). TRY IT BRO!!
motoYam82 I don't understand how it can pressurize the system when the cap is sealing the radiator neck.
Why not just set the regulator at the compressor to 18 PSI?
Thats the first thing I said I did
You said you set it to 30. I think, i'm going from memory. Why not set it to 18 and save a step?
yeah that is what i tought when i stat listening you saying max psi , and that small hose , ( BIKE PUMP WITH GAUGE!)
Cheer up about the leak being anticlimactic. Maybe that's just the obvious leak, and there a several more subtle ones hiding?
cool idea
You have a great Hart 😊