PART NO. | SPECIALTY TOOL |
HD-45335 | Coolant system pressure tester |
If a pressure test indicates a leak but there is no visible leak, even after a leak detection dye test, perform the following tests to verify a damaged engine gasket.
1. Start and run cold engine. White smoke from exhaust system indicates a blown gasket.
2. Run engine. Shut off engine.
- a. Remove oil level dipstick. Light colored foam on dipstick indicates a blown gasket.
- b. Open oil drain plug and drain a small amount of oil. Water or coolant will drain out first if gasket is blown.
Caution! Do not allow pressure to build up past the maximum for system. If pressure rises past, turn off engine and turn butterfly pressure valve perpendicular to tester head to release pressure.
Warning! Do not continue to run engine unattended with COLLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTER installed. There is no safety valve with the pressure cap removed and the COLLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTER installed.
3. With COOLANT SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTER (HD-45335) installed, start cold engine and idle engine to normal operating temperature.
- a. If gauge indicates fast pressure build up, a gasket is blown.
- b. If pressure does not build up immediately, pump tester to system pressure. If gauge needle vibrates, there is a compression or combustion leak. Disconnect one spark plug at a time. The needle will stop vibrating when spark is removed from leaking cylinder.
Note. After replacing an engine head gasket, draining and replacing contaminated oil will be necessary as part of engine service.