Maximum Pressure

[FreeBeeTony]

I am trying to find a leak in my cooling system.
​Have removed the H/E and is fine.
​I have rigged up a set up applying pressure to the big hose going to the circ pump and plugged up the return hoses from the manifolds to the H/E.
​I'm using a cheap 12V pump.......hard to regulate pressure.
How much pressure is safe? 20-30#'s?
NOTE there is still AF in the block.

 

[Bt Doctur]

It sounds like a full system block and manifolds.Either the block off gasket is bad or the manifold itself is leaking Drain the manifolds and riser , remove the riser and see if the manifold is wet. Other than that , you have a bad head gasket

 

[Bondo]

NOTE there is still AF in the block.

Ayuh,.... Drain it 1st Tony,.... There's no sound to chase if there's liquid in the system,....

15 lbs. is plenty,.... I doubt 30 lbs. will cause any explosions though,....

Plumb in a schrader valve from yer local hardware store, for yer inlet, 'n blow it up with a tire chuck to add air,....

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Yes, full system.......
Seems to be holding 30# at the moment......
Don't want to remove anything if I don't have too.
Will liquid in the system matter for this test?
I wouldn't think so............

 

[Scott Danforth]

Liquid in the system makes it nearly impossible to find the leak. Drain it

 

[FreeBeeTony]

But right now it's holding pressure!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... If it's holdin', it's holdin',....

What problem are ya chasin',..??

 

[FreeBeeTony]

It's ain't holdin no more!
​Just went out to check......was still holdin 30# and POP!!!
​Something let go...........very loud.
I can hear something on the port side.
​Going to bypass the manifold on that side........if the noise goes away I will be taking off the manifold.
Maybe a core plug? But it seems like a slow leak.........
​This is puzzling.......

 

[FreeBeeTony]

OK..........bypassed port side manifold/riser.
Holding 20# w/o a problem.
​Next step will be removing manifold/riser.
​How much do you think the manifold/riser weighs?
Would like to remove w/o disturbing gasket at the moment..

 

[Bt Doctur]

The small block chevy manifold is awkward but manageable. If you do find the plain gasket did blow, locate the SS block off plate and just use 2 regular gaskets to sandwitch it. If core plugs do exist, they would be external, not internal

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Removed the manifold/riser...........pretty heavy!!!
​Saw liquid in the manifold......smells like MM oil from fogging!
​Plan on pressure testing either later of tomorrow.........back is hurting!!
Still don't know where that loud POP came from!

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Added some pics, found out what that LOUD POP was:

 

[Fun Times]

Interesting!! Never seen one opened up like that. Is that the/a wire mesh that gives out a crinkle type sound when you squeeze the hoses...Always thought that sound had more to do with older hoses getting coated with some sort of dried up water type algae or the like on the inside of the hose breaking loose internally.

 

[GA_Boater]

Pressurizing and holding at 30 PSI caused the old hose to pop like an old radiator hose in an overheated car or truck.

 

[mickyryan]

at least you know where the weakest link was , lol usually 15psi will let you know where a leak is , we do swimming pool plumbing at 35 psi and even that gets scary if there is rubber plugs anywhere , get knocked in the head with a 6" rubber plug one time and you will be bat...crazy for life

 

[Rick Stephens]

at least you know where the weakest link was , lol usually 15psi will let you know where a leak is , we do swimming pool plumbing at 35 psi and even that gets scary if there is rubber plugs anywhere , get knocked in the head with a 6" rubber plug one time and you will be bat...crazy for life

Now we know. He he.

 

[mickyryan]

Now we know. He he.

well played sir ~~

 

[achris]

at least you know where the weakest link was , lol usually 15psi will let you know where a leak is , we do swimming pool plumbing at 35 psi and even that gets scary if there is rubber plugs anywhere , get knocked in the head with a 6" rubber plug one time and you will be bat...crazy for life

That's almost a 1000 lbs behind that rubber plug. Little wonder they come flying out!

 

[mickyryan]

yeah and yet they require it on a suction line pressure test lol

 

[achris]

yeah and yet they require it on a suction line pressure test lol

Suction line???? I would have thought a vacuum test would be more appropriate....

Chris....