Budget oil cooler pressure testing. Almost free.

[snbush67]

I used a tubeless bicycle valve, a piece of rubber fuel hose and some washers.



Tightened to compress and expand the fuel line as a seal.

Added zip ties for safety to keep the valves from launching. Precaution

Pressurized with a bicycle pump.

Everything is holding fine at 60 PSI. No bubbles.

[fanaudical]

Nice!

I think the oil pressure bypass valve trips ~85psig. You may want to increase your test pressure.

[thetorch]

ingenious. nice work.

[snbush67]

Thanks for the compliments and recommendations!

Everything remained pressured at 60 PSI overnight. I have to get a better seal at the valves to dial the pressure above 85. At 85 I get an occasional bubble from the valve. Stay tuned.

[snbush67]

100 PSI and holding. 85 psi kept blowing out the plugs, so I added clamps and everything is holding strong. I really think the 60 PSI test pressure was adequate.

[Nditiz1]

Thanks Shane! Just bought the same valves on Amazon yesterday. Can't wait to replicate your cheap tool.

[snbush67]

Nick, I think a small piece of steel with holes drilled, or small cut outs, bolted in to clamp the valves using the cooler mounting holes would be of value. You could drill the holes to replace the big washers. Simply a steel plate with four holes. It would clamp better/tighter/safer.

[Nditiz1]

And use the existing seals and bolts, gotcha. I think I have some steel, might even have some aluminum

[snbush67]

Removed the suspect cooler from my car and tested. I really thought it was going to be the seals or something else but the cooler had a leak! I guess that’s good news, my pressure test works. And I have a tested good, replacement cooler going in.

Here’s what an air leak into water at 100 psi looks like.