FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Cooling System Leak Checks

Cooling Fan-JX:





With engine not running, wipe the coolant filler neck sealing seat clean. The radiator should be full.
Attach a radiator pressure tester to the coolant filler neck, as shown and apply 104 kPa (15 psi) pressure. If the pressure drops more than 2 psi in 2 minutes inspect all points for external leaks.
All hoses, radiator and heater, should be moved while at 104 kPa (15 psi) since some leaks occur while driving due to engine rock, etc.
If there are no external leaks after the gauge dial shows a drop in pressure, detach the tester. Start engine and run the engine to normal operating temperature in order to open the thermostat and allow the coolant to expand. Re-attach the tester. If the needle on the dial fluctuates it indicates a combustion leak, usually a head gasket leak.