Easy Cooling System Filling

[smac02]

Today used my Sealey VS00041 cooling system filler after changing my hoses for the superb ones from Kieran Ward. (Excellent Service too)
I discovered a slight weeping from the engine to rad top hose the other day and so changed the lot.
The job was made so much easier when I used the Sealey filler tool. It just sucks the coolant into the engine block and pipework after first creating a strong vacuum througout the cooling system. The whole process tooks seconds AND NO BLEEDING OF THE SYSTEM AFTERWARDS.
It saves all that trouble of engine revving and hot coolant everwhere.
In my case it also showed a leak in the system when it wouldn't hold a vacuum. It turned out to be a faulty seal on the rad drain plug that began weeping the first time I filled the system. The refill after fitting a new O ring took even less time.
The downside is that that it requires an air compressor. I used my small home worshop one.
It really is a great time and labour saving tool that is a boon for the average Bongo owner. Highly recommend.

Steve Mc

[bigdaddycain]

That sounds great steve, have you took the bongo for a good run? No problems?

[Yamaha]

Thats an interesting post, Steve - never knew such a tool existed - I'm very tempted myself, as I have a set of silicon hoses waiting to be fitted. Not sure whether to change them - and risk opening a can of worms - or hang on till one or more NEED changing!!

I've never had a vehicle that's managed to develope such a list of "must do" jobs - it more of a hobby, owning a Bongo!!

Mike

[bigdaddycain]

I've heard of em before mike...just never investigated one properly...I think i will now!

[brorabongo]

Googled it.....

http://www.tool-supplies.co.uk/index.php/cPath/6_131

Mmmmmm... some nice looking tools there.

[lizard]

Googled it.....

http://www.tool-supplies.co.uk/index.php/cPath/6_131

Mmmmmm... some nice looking tools there.

There are loads of them, all that choice.

[dandywarhol]

Googled it.....

http://www.tool-supplies.co.uk/index.php/cPath/6_131

Mmmmmm... some nice looking tools there.

There are loads of them, all that choice.

Just the one lizard vs004 - the others pressureise the system for leaks and head gasket leaks

[lizard]

Googled it.....

http://www.tool-supplies.co.uk/index.php/cPath/6_131

Mmmmmm... some nice looking tools there.

There are loads of them, all that choice.

Just the one lizard vs004 - the others pressureise the system for leaks and head gasket leaks

Forgive my stupidity

Must learn to read

[Michael Winner]

...

[Yamaha]

Dandy - what's the difference between the VS004 you mentioned - and the VS 00041 that Smac used?

Never seen either - but there seems to be about £30 difference in price - do they both do the same job?

Mike

[Coolhand]

How do you actually use this. I am assuming you have to plug it into the header tank and wait for coolant to come out of the breather pipe? How do you get the air in the system past the thermostat when it is closed

Mike

[haydn callow]

There is normally a small hole in a thermostat with a bit of wire in (jiggle valve) the air I suppose would get "sucked through" However if the stat has not been open for a while it could be "gummed" up.
Looks a good bit of kit though and at £65 ish' would be a good investment for small groups of owners to get between them.
All the same..bleeding a Bongo is not that hard once you know the correct way to go about it.

[helen&tony]

Hi
I've been looking at these devices for a while....there's another made by Laser Tools, although I haven't yet written to the company on this one , as the specifications aren't mentioned
There is one very large problem with this type of tool, and that is that they require a large delivery (in cubic feet per minute) to work....the Sealey one specifies 12 c.f.m. If the maker specifies that figure, don't expect it to work properly on less. The small workshop compressors on offer in Aldi from time to time are just not suitable to pull the fluid through quickly enough to shift an airlock, although they may work in a very limited way, still leaving a bubble. It is neccessary to move the fluid quite fast in order to purge a system in this way.
There is always a bit of air loss on a compressor, and a quoted delivery rate in c.f.m. is as tested in ideal conditions, so to get a delivery of 12 c.f.m., you need a compressor quoting a delivery of 14 c.f.m. or , ideally, more.
I was sorely tempted to write to Laser Tools, but have found the see-saw bleeding system quite easy, and not too painful (Tony is the one who gets his hands scalded )....My compressor manages about 10 cfm, on a V twin pump and 3 horsepower motor....so I'm not taking a chance.
Cheers
Helen

[nfn]

Steve,
How many cfm of air can your compressor deliver? It should be written either on the compressor, or in the specifications in its instruction book. It may also be written in metric units rather than cubic feet per minute. I am curious to know whether it is possible to successfully use the sealey filler with a compressor rated at less than 12cfm.

[helen&tony]

Hi nfn
The info. on Sealey's website says 12 c.f.m. so 12 c.f.m. it is....as I said, you may get partial movement at less volume, but it won't work properly. If it would work on less, then the manufacturer would say so. What air delivery do you have?
Cheers
Helen