I can name that tune in... was [s-cars] DIY: under $10 Hose Leak Tester !!

[Linus Toy]

At 11:24 AM 11/14/2002 , Miller, Casey wrote:
...snip
>At home depot...buy a 3" Fernco brand Plumbquick Qwik=Cap (in plumbing
>section).  It's just a rubber cap with a hose clamp attached.  Next

I couldn't find one of those at the local HD...so I used a 3" black ABS
threaded end-cap.  < $3.  This has a molded square end (for a pipe-wrench
to grip) and external threads.  drill a hole center of cap, secure a 1/4"
bolt into the center hole and chuck it into a drill.  use a file to grind
the threads down smooth.  30 minutes

>you'll need to buy a shraeder valve (tire valve) to merge with the cap,

ask a local tire installer if they've got an extra one when you
mount/balance/align your car next time.  I asked for one, got two. $0

>so that you can hook up an air compressor to it and fill your system
>with a little (< 10lbs) of air.  Drill a little hole in the cap and
>insert (or sandwich) it with the schrader valve.  (sorry no dig
>camera--but picture the simplest device ever created and you'll have the
>general idea).

It took a bit to get the schraeder valve into there--a little soapy water helps

>Then, take off the large (just under 3") air intake hose that goes into
>your air box on the passenger side of your car.  Pop the cap you built

to clarify, this is the large hose that comes out of the airbox/MAF sensor,
feeding the turbo inlet.

>over the HOSE.  Cinch up the hose clamp just so it's snug.  Hook

In this variation, the cap fits inside the hose.  Use the clamp that is
used to secure the hose to the airbox/MAF to tighten it up around the cap.

>compressor (or bike pump) up to the valve on the cap.  Put a little
>(once again only about 10lbs) of air into the system and listen for
>where it's leaking.  It's important not to over inflate everything, just
>put enough air in to see if it's leaking anywhere.

It might take a lot to do this with a bike pump (at least with the one I
have).  But with a compressor, make sure to set your regulator--don't go
over 20 psig--unless you've got a 3bar PT, in which case don't go over 30
psig.  while you probably do want to test it at pressures the turbo can put
out, most likely you will find your leaks by 10-15psi.

>Very simple, very effective.

yes it is!


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*  Linus Toy                      Insanity is doing the same thing   *
*  Mercer Island, WA              you've always done and expecting   *
*  linust at mindspring.com          different results                  *
*                                      - Roger Milliken              *
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