5 GT Turbo Water system leak tester DIY

[Adey]

Ok saw a few people chatting about these on facebook so thought id quickly do a guide on how to make a water system leak tester. You will require a tyre valve and an old header tank cap. Takes all of 2 minutes to make

step 1, get valve



step 2, get header tank cap



step 3, stick flat blade screwdriver under the coloured part of the cap and twist until the cap comes off and the gubbins fall out



step 4, add a little sealant to the valve and pull through the hole.



job done

 

[Brigsy]

I made one of these 12 years ago great bit of kit. You need a footpump and pump up to 1bar pressure on the gauge & that will find every leak. I generally pump it up to a bar and if it will hold it for a few mins then your good to go.

 

[Adey]

good info @Brigsy, it was always one of them bits of kit i meant to make but never got around to it until today. Ill knock up one for the boost pipes next

 

[R9-F7R-NL]

works for bleeding brakelines too!

 

[Adey]

nice to know

 

[Brigsy]

No good for brakes really as you would run out of fluid too fast. Need a reservior of fluid and air feed into that like an easibleed setup.

 

[DaveL485]

good info @Brigsy, it was always one of them bits of kit i meant to make but never got around to it until today. Ill knock up one for the boost pipes next

Won't work, dont waste your time mate. You need a smoke tester ideally.

 

[Brigsy]

Won't work, dont waste your time mate. You need a smoke tester ideally.

Pressure test works fine, no need for a smoke tester. Not even sure if a smoke tester has the poke to reveal all leaks ?

Use some plumbing fittings i.e. stop ends fit a valve and stick 2 bar of pressure in. Best way to do is to section off the part you are testing i.e. cap it at both ends and use a pressure gauge to monitor drop. Ideally you need a compressor with a bit of poke to do it, will soon find any leak with 2bar in. Ive done it for years, beware vac hoses can and will shoot off at 2+ bar lol

 

[DaveL485]

Best way to do is to section off the part you are testing

Thats the only way to do it, cos the engine won't "seal" at the back end... i've always been a visual inspection and fill-intercooler-with-water man myself

 

[Brigsy]

You can actually test the lot in one go with a big compressor. All you need to do is block the turbo inlet up and fill it up via a vac hose or valve in a bung. If/when no leaks are present you can hear the air leaking past the valves. Its crazy to see how much the hoses swell up even quality 5 ply silicone look like they are going to pop. Makes you stand back a bit lol