Who uses a vacuum cooling system refill tool? What brand and is it worth it?

[srtthis]

we used to use a MAC when we ran the radiator systems in the X275 turbo car. the way it was plumbed made it REALLY hard to get all the air out of the system.
and damn right it was worth the money i paid for it. granted i was working for MAC at the time so my price wasnt what you would pay but even at the normal price it would have been worth it. it would have been the ONLY way to fill it correctly when it was a dual radiator system

 

[killer5.0]

It was a snap on tool i was using and i tried getting the seal as good as i could but my buddy said he doesnt think it was too bad and ill probably be allright but it could be a small leak in the tool maybe. In 5 minutes it dropped 2.5lbs. He said i should pressure test it so he gave me a pressure tester. Tonight ill pump it up to 12lbs? and see if it holds.

 

[killer5.0]

So i pressure tested last night...had a little air leak where my lower rad hose hooks to the waterpump...fixed that and it still was dropping slightly and realized the pressure testing tool has a very small leak so hard to tell if i fully fixed the problem...with the tool leaking a little it dropped 1.5lbs in 5 minutes. Hooked up the vacuum tool and it dropped 1.5lbs in 5 min...not sure where to go with this...should i just fill up and look for leaks? I have the original rad hoses still...my lower has the spring in it and the upper is cut and fitted with the vortech supplied piece in the middle...they seem to be not as strong when i squeeze them but they never leaked on me previously.

 

[killer5.0]

I left it hooked up and timed it...24min for it to drop from 20 to 15

 

[Deleted member 215073]

If the tool has a leak, it'll be impossible to tell if your system is sealed. I would fill it up and monitor it closely.

 

[killer5.0]

I filled it up last night...so far so good lol...going to install the harmonic balancer...do an oil change and start her up and hope for the best...

 

[Deleted member 215073]

Keep us posted

 

[killer5.0]

Well so far so good...got it all together fired it up...let it come to temp so the tstat opened and burped the system just incase any air was trapped. Let it run about 15min and shut it off...Had to head to the gym...came back and so far its dry underneath. Ill be taking out tomorrow or sunday weather depending to stretch her legs and see if im good to go.