Tom1200
Tom1200 Dork
8/25/20 10:56 a.m.

I don't have a cooling system pressure tester and the time has come to get one.  Anyone have a preferred brand?

I don't need one often and the HF one would likely do but I'd like to get a decent quality one.

Ranger50
Ranger50 UltimaDork
8/25/20 11:00 a.m.

I bought mine from Snap-on. I don't like having to purchase the adapters separately but I still feel it was worth the trade off.

MrFancypants
MrFancypants Reader
8/25/20 11:22 a.m.

I've got this Schwaben brand tool that draws a vacuum on the coolant system that allows you to fill without needing to burp. After setting it up if there are any leaks in the system allowing air in the compressor will kick in to keep trying to pull that air out. If there are no leaks it'll hold stable vacuum pressure.

Makes coolant fills a snap.

Slippery (Forum Supporter)
Slippery (Forum Supporter) UltraDork
8/25/20 11:26 a.m.

I got a Harbor Freight one. Worked well when I needed it. 

Tyler H (Forum Supporter)
Tyler H (Forum Supporter) UberDork
8/25/20 12:06 p.m.
MrFancypants said:

I've got this Schwaben brand tool that draws a vacuum on the coolant system that allows you to fill without needing to burp. After setting it up if there are any leaks in the system allowing air in the compressor will kick in to keep trying to pull that air out. If there are no leaks it'll hold stable vacuum pressure.

Makes coolant fills a snap.

Same here except mine is an Airlift.  Uses a venturi to evacuate the cooling system, then you close the ball valve and watch the guage to validate there are no vacuum leaks.  If none, you put the fill hose back in your bucket of fresh (or recycled) coolant and open the valve and then it refills itself without any air bubbles.

I have the Harbor Freight version. It's a nice kit and has had every adapter I have needed in the box. Well worth the $$ spent.

 

Edit. Since I'm at a real computer, here's a picture of what is in the kit. 

TurnerX19
TurnerX19 SuperDork
8/25/20 2:56 p.m.

I am still using the Stant that my father bought in 1960. I have made a few adapters for newer cap styles on an as required basis.

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