Coolant Vacuum Fillers Article - March car mechnics magazine

[Coolhand]

Very good article in this months Car Mechanics on vacuum fillers.
Has anyone tried one of these devices to replace coolant?

Mike

[mikexgough]

no never seen them........will have to investigate

[teenmal]

Hi Mike,
I have used this in the past (workshop) the kit costs about £70.00 plus you need a compressor.
Its is probably the most fail safe way to replace the coolant.It is also a good method to check the system.

Cheers Malc.

[nfn]

I bought a Sealey vacuum cooling system filler, and will be changing my bongo's coolant in the next month or so, as well as changing out some hoses for nice silicone ones. I will post on the forum after I'm done to report how it went.

Did the article have any useful hints? -- I might see if I can find myself a copy.

[searchers]

Hi All

i found this ,
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

mike

[teenmal]

Hi All

i found this ,
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog

mike

Hi Mike,

did you find the compressor

[francophile1947]

How do these things work and how does a compressor create a vacuum with what's shown in the photo?

[teenmal]

How do these things work and how does a compressor create a vacuum with what's shown in the photo?

The air pressure from the compressor creates suction at the valve,it works about 80-100 psi.

They are quite easy to make,if you can be a***d

[francophile1947]

They are quite easy to make,if you can be a***d

I'll take your word for that

[teenmal]

They are quite easy to make,if you can be a***d

I'll take your word for that

The first thing you start with is,a sharp bit of string with a hole in it.

Hope this helps

[The Great Pretender]

Well b*gg*r me, the topic of vacuum filling came up today at Wheelquick.
Mike is fully aware of the changes I have made to my Bongo and we had a long conversation about the cooling system.
I don't think there can be many people that have refilled more Bongo cooling systems than him but he still has problems with some and he is looking for answers.
He thinks the thermostat maybe the main cause of airlocks and he could well be right. Next week with luck we are going to play with a cylinder head and disect a Bongo's coolant system.
Treating the cooling system the same as the aircon should remove air that would normally get stuck at high points but unlike the aircon the coolant can release air back into the system.

[Coolhand]

I bought a Sealey vacuum cooling system filler, and will be changing my bongo's coolant in the next month or so, as well as changing out some hoses for nice silicone ones. I will post on the forum after I'm done to report how it went.

Did the article have any useful hints? -- I might see if I can find myself a copy.

There is a little breakout on suction:
Mix up slightly more coolant than you need
How to use smaller compress (lower CFM) but with at least 80psi
Keeping your busket of coolant at least at the same level as the header tank.

The main bulk of the article deals with what is out there and the rating of them. There "best buy" was the Sealey VS0042 £53.85 followed by the the ITC KVB01 £116.33. They liked the later because of the availability of dedicated caps (good sealing and no height issues) and the fact that ITC can supply a hand pump so no need to have a compressor. I have not done the maths but suspect that £116 + cap £ + handpump £ may work out cheaper.

Mike

[helen&tony]

Hi
There was a thread a while back on these vacuum fillers. Be careful that the model you buy is suitable for your compressor. Most compressors will give 100psi plus, but it's the volume of air necessary for each air tool that is all important, and the delivery rate for most small compressors is worked on 2 figures...the quoted figure is usually based on displacement, and you can reckon that for most conventional piston compressors the ACTUAL delivery is a fair bit less. For example only, a compressor sold as 10 CFM will often only deliver a continuous 8 CFM. The Sealey vacuum filler, I seem to remember, needs a constant 10 or 12 CFM, as I was looking at them, and , although it may work on less, it won't pull the full vacuum required , and if you merely trust that it has worked......well you know the problem with Bongo cooling systems.
Unless you have a big compressor with a tank of 150 - 200 litres, then steer clear of these tools....after all, most members here who do their own bleeding and follow the excellent fact sheet have little problem......if in doubt, take a holiday near one of the renowned experts , and get it done....for example Allans Vehicle Services or Wheelquick
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Well done Hellen. I remember that thread and cautions about compressors. I think that it sounds a big £ outlay on equipment for something you do every 2 years, and unless you can be confident the equipment (compressor) will do its job properly. As you say, the normal bleeding methods aren't that hard and seem to work fine if carried out with care. Or else let a specialist garage do it. or else maybe a group buy one between them (but then tricky about who owns what etc. when one sells their Bongo)

[helen&tony]

Hi
Mike...a communal compressor is a stupendous idea...until you've got one, youv'e no idea as to the uses they can be put to. A good second hand one is worth looking at, or punt round the dealers. Around 14 CFM delivery is the least you want to aim for if using saws, grinders, or anything using CONSTANT air, whereas nailers , air ratchets, grease guns can run on less as they are a "one shot" dose of air. You can also look at HVLP type spray equipment if you have a guaranteed 14 CFM delivery...you get a lot more paint on the vehicle , and less in the air with these . Should someone in the Co-operative move away, then another person can opt-in , or existing members buy them out...It's a good plan for people who get along together!
Cheers
Helen