Coolant Pressure Test

I have to do a pressure test to find a leak on my car.

Just wanted to double-check... is 16 psi correct for an '82 GTSi?

 

What cap are you going to use?

 

Sounds about right 1.1 bar is 15.9 lbs

 

It's 1.1 bar so roughly 16 psi

 

Well lets see. The system needs to hold as much pressure as the cap so test it at about 16-17 lbs. Leave it under pressure for half hour or so and look for leaks. Just because you do not see a pressure drop on the gauge does not mean its not leaking somewhere. Its a big reason I like using an Airlift to fill the system. Leaks will show much quicker under vacuum than they do with water under pressure.

 

Ok cool thanks man. Yeah I'm hoping to see something spring out... going to follow your suggestion and fill it with water, and pressurize it.

 

Well fortunately it turned out to be something fairly simple... thank goodness. I had forgot to put tape around the draincock on the new radiator so as soon as I started filling with water it started leaking once it got up to the rad.

Drained it all out again, then used the Airlift and it held vacuum.

Glad it was simple!