Radiator leak testing [message #167491] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 20:36 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337 Registered: March 2008 Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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So on my fairly recent, less that 500 mile, rebuild, I had a oil analysis done last fall before putting it away.
black stone said it looked ok, but I might have a coolant leak.
But I did use Com Cams break in lube which Comp cams tech line said my cause the oil analysis to look like it has coolant...
Well spring has sprung and I put a pressure tester on the ol beast
I pumped it to 17psi since there was a nice hash mark there.
5 minutes later it was down about a PSI...
I suspect the intake ( shoulda used pattersons gaskets )
Should I pull the intake?
Or am I just being paranoid.
OR...am I not paranoid enough?
Thanks guys
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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Re: Radiator leak testing [message #167497 is a reply to message #167491] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 20:48 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324 Registered: October 2010 Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Keith,
I have been using one of those testers for years. And have tried a few different. I have not found one to trust 100%. The tester will leak down on its own. Sometimes they the cap seal is not 100%. They are great for seeing where leaks are coming from. But i would not say it shows any leak for sure by watching that needle. I would not panic. I also would be careful pumping up over a normal pressure. This tool can cause leaks. I would not go over 10psi on your gmc. 11 at most. 12 would scare me. Many heater cores have been poppped apart by over pressure of coolant system.
If you are sure your tools radiator cap is sealed properly. And you see no leak down on another known rig. Then maybe. And even then i would wonder if there really is a problem if you do not see green coming out somewhere. Or it leaks down really quick.(should still see green somewhere.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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Re: Radiator leak testing [message #167535 is a reply to message #167497] |
Wed, 25 April 2012 08:15 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337 Registered: March 2008 Location: Mounds View,MN
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Oh dang!, I forgot they are 9 psi caps!
hope I didn't stress anything...
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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Re: Radiator leak testing [message #167539 is a reply to message #167491] |
Wed, 25 April 2012 10:39 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260 Registered: January 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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""Should I pull the intake?
Or am I just being paranoid.
OR...am I not paranoid enough?
Thanks guys
""
A coolant leak into the crankcase is nothing to fool with. It will quickly cause sludge that will block the oil intake screen and wipe out the front mains. If there's any doubt, I'd investigate further.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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Re: Radiator leak testing [message #167541 is a reply to message #167535] |
Wed, 25 April 2012 11:06 |
roy1
Messages: 2126 Registered: July 2004 Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Keith V wrote on Wed, 25 April 2012 06:15 | Oh dang!, I forgot they are 9 psi caps!
hope I didn't stress anything...
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If you had a high pressure cap on it the engine wouldn't have a problem with it. The radiator might develop a leak though as it is designed for a low pressure cap unless you have the aluminum one.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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Re: [GMCnet] Radiator leak testing [message #167623 is a reply to message #167541] |
Thu, 26 April 2012 10:57 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806 Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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If your radiator tester is like the Stant one, there should be a provision
to put a known good pressure cap on the tester to see if they are opening
when they are supposed to. If you put the adapter on you can seal both ends
of the tester, pump it up to 6 or 7 psi and see if it holds pressure. If it
does, then apply it to the radiator and see if you get similar results.
Kinda like calibrating any diagnostic device before you use it.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR (currently at GMCWS rally at Casa de Fruta)
78 GMC Royale 403
On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 9:06 AM, <roy@gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>
> Keith V wrote on Wed, 25 April 2012 06:15
> > Oh dang!, I forgot they are 9 psi caps!
> >
> > hope I didn't stress anything...
>
>
>
> If you had a high pressure cap on it the engine wouldn't have a problem
> with it. The radiator might develop a leak though as it is designed for a
> low pressure cap unless you have the aluminum one.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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