Block tester kits [Archive]

clee

22-07-2009, 20:15

I've got a guy dropping off a GTA tomorrow with a suspected head gasket failure .No white smoke as far as I know but pressurised pipes after 10/15 mins and overheating .
I would like to test to see if there are any gases present .
It might just be a blocked rad or chuffed pump but that wouldn't make the hoses go that hard would it ?He also says there is a lot of sludge in the water even after flushing and refilling/bleeding a a dozen or so times ...Sounds like a thorough flush is the first job and look at the rad and pump before I pull the lump :devil:
Don't really know until it gets here but I would like a test kit anyway . Are they all much the same and are they readily available from a factors ?

J$£5GTT

22-07-2009, 22:55

i know radiator pressure testers are about £150 odd ....
block tester would be a fair bit more in sure..
anyway woundnt it be easier to see if the block has cracks
if the lump is pulled??
:)

clee

23-07-2009, 08:19

I meant one of these .Found it on Ebay .
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/snap-on-mac-Block-Tester-Kit-leak-cracked-head-BT500_W0QQitemZ290302782857QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_H and_Tools_Equipment?hash=item439764ed89&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|293%3A1| 294%3A50

IANMM

23-07-2009, 08:49

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNIVERSAL-BLOCK-TESTER-KIT-FOR-GASKETS-CYLINDER-HEADS_W0QQitemZ130318873929QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_D iagnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item1e579c3549&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|293%3A1| 294%3A50

a little cheaper and local :)

clee

23-07-2009, 08:57

clee

23-07-2009, 11:00

Sorted £28 ...This should speed things up a bit .I can even check which bank it is now as well ;)

diggerdog36

23-07-2009, 11:23

What do you mean...Which bank?

(not being arsy....Im a novice!)

Bigfoot

23-07-2009, 11:32

What do you mean...Which bank?

(not being arsy....Im a novice!)

The engine is a V6 so you got either side

diggerdog36

23-07-2009, 11:33

Ah I see, but does it have 2 header tanks? How do you tell which bank has the leak?

clee

23-07-2009, 11:42

Take all the plugs off on one bank ,let it run for 5 mins to purge that bank of fumes.Do the test again .If it turns yellow then it must be the firing bank that is leaking :agree:

Karlos

23-07-2009, 15:38

http://cache.consumerist.com/assets/resources/2006/08/1120288610141_DR_JOEL_TITANIUM_PACKAGE.jpg

mr bean aka pete

23-07-2009, 22:48

Thanks but I've just found this guy ....10 miles away :cool:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ENGINE-HEAD-COMBUSTION-LEAK-CRACKED-BLOCK-TESTER_W0QQitemZ160346034141QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item25555e4fdd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A7|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

thats the same 1 we use at work, get it warm so thermostat open then place it over the header tank with cap off, if there any gases in there is should change from a blue colour to a green or yelloq colour :) hope this helps clee

clee

24-07-2009, 13:19

Thanks Pete .
Yes, that is what I've done and I get no change in colour at all . Tried it a couple of times and zilch .Are they usually accurate ?

mr bean aka pete

24-07-2009, 19:18

yeah they are pritty good at detecting any gases :crap: tried a coolant presure check ?? if you have no change in colour cant be anything wrong :confused:

clee

24-07-2009, 19:29

Ahh well ...the expansion cap is fecked .
I put another one on , bled it properly and so far it is fine but the fans don't cut in .I have run it up to temp and hot wired a fan and it brings the temp down now .The smoke he mentioned is more oil , condensation and not that bad so probably stem seals .
I will whip the bumper off and look at the rad/fans tomorrow .I'm sure that's all it is .A damn good flush and see why the fans are playing up .Worst case it might be a new rad or fan I think .

THE MASTER

24-07-2009, 23:25

clee you got the cap correct
the v6 dont like it with no pressure cap fitted or a faulty one. also wot you realy wonna do is lightly jet wash the fins on the rad . dirt builds up and restricks air flow through the rad .

washing the outside of the rad is a recomended service job . ;)