What PSI to pressure test the radiator and the ATF cooler?
- Thread starter AFei
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I tested mine to 16 psi, which is what my cap was rated at. I filled it with water first, then pumped I up to 16 psi using a similar pump to yours.
After installing the radiator I tested the whole system to the same and found a hose that had a leak.
After installing the radiator I tested the whole system to the same and found a hose that had a leak.
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- #3
When the radiator is installed, will definitely only test at the cap rated 16 psi to avoid any damage to the whole cooling system.
However, since this new radiator has not been installed yet, and it's an ebay all aluminum radiator, I'd like to stress test it at the max pressure to make sure it can survive the limit. Any one has the idea the general design standard of the max pressure of a radiator?
However, since this new radiator has not been installed yet, and it's an ebay all aluminum radiator, I'd like to stress test it at the max pressure to make sure it can survive the limit. Any one has the idea the general design standard of the max pressure of a radiator?
Why? The max pressure will be whatever cap you run on it anyway, just do 16psi and call it a day. Don't over think it!
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- #6
When a radiator is designed to run at like 16psi, it has to be manufactured to survive and also tested at higher psi, so a defective cap won't cause the radiator exploded. As the new one is not a big name radiator, I think it's better to verify its quality before installation.
Good info. I think 20 should be a safe number to try on. Also, the pump I'm using is kinds of hard to push once at 20...
though.
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- #11
No matter if it's OE radiator, T.Rad radiator, eBay radiator or any of them, there is always good one and bad one. If it had never happened to me that the freshly installed Denso radiator just spilled to my face, I wouldn't never do such test. I knew I'm not the guy always has good lucky. So I want the bad thing happened on my driveway, not on the trail. Or even better, happened before spending hours to put it on. That's the whole reason doing this, even if I got the OE one.
Now I don't know how an eBay radiator would tamper the 100 series cooling system while other non-OE radiator would not. To me, an 3 row ALL-Aluminum radiator should and would do much better job keeping our 100 cool. And best of all, it only costs me $150 to my door.
I know there are more haters to this type of eBay radiator than likers, for all kinds of reason. However, I don't really hate anything for any reason not directly related to the product itself. The first impression of this All aluminum eBay radiator is pretty good, will more than happy to report back once it passed the test.
Now I don't know how an eBay radiator would tamper the 100 series cooling system while other non-OE radiator would not. To me, an 3 row ALL-Aluminum radiator should and would do much better job keeping our 100 cool. And best of all, it only costs me $150 to my door.
I know there are more haters to this type of eBay radiator than likers, for all kinds of reason. However, I don't really hate anything for any reason not directly related to the product itself. The first impression of this All aluminum eBay radiator is pretty good, will more than happy to report back once it passed the test.
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- #12
Tried my best to pump to 25 psi and let the whole thing sinking in the pool. Immediately found it leaks from the host clamp. Tight a little bit and no any leak so far. Will let it sit whole night and check how many PSI tomorrow morning.
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- #13
May not be able to go that high with my compressor, but will do at least 100 PSI for sure. And I will have to DIY a test kit to do it....try 150 psi. If it doesn't blow, then you should definitely run it. Heck, maybe I'll run it.
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- #15
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- #17
Just tested the built-in oil cooler today, at 90 psi. Did find a slow leaking from the hose connector fitting nut. Other than keeping tighten the nut, any other way to stop the leak? Also contacting the seller for solution at the mean time.Or try 150 psi. If it doesn't blow, then you should definitely run it. Heck, maybe I'll run it.
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- #18
Issue fixed! Just removed the fitting and sand the flare surface a little bit. Now the ATF aux cooler holds the 90 PSI hours perfectly.
At this point, I'm pretty confident that this cheap all aluminum radiator does pass the stress test, and is ready to put on.
The picture shows how my diy test kit works. The radiator was under the water to check for any bubbles.
At this point, I'm pretty confident that this cheap all aluminum radiator does pass the stress test, and is ready to put on.
The picture shows how my diy test kit works. The radiator was under the water to check for any bubbles.
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- #19
Over the weekend, got the new radiator installed. Just filled with 3.7 gallons of distilled water to rinse the system. Yeah, the new all aluminum tank holds more coolant. With the thermostat removed, tried to run the engine for almost 45 minutes, the coolant temperature can hardly go pass 160 degree, while the air temperature is over 110 degree. Have to keep the engine running over 2000 rpm for almost 15+ minutes to finally reach 180 degree. Will keep testing...