DIY to leak test heat exchangers with water and air, So you don't suffocate someone with exhaust fumes.... |
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DIY to leak test heat exchangers with water and air, So you don't suffocate someone with exhaust fumes.... |
SpecialInt |
Feb 4 2014, 07:22 PM
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#1
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 3-December 13 From: Maryland Member No.: 16,722 Region Association: None |
I have some SS heat exchangers for sale and someone asked if I had tested them for leaks. I had not. A few people chimed in with some procedures to test them. Thought I would document my test so anyone selling a set could easily check for leaks.
Needed. 1 valve stem. Long for alloy wheels. 1 one x six or similar 6 bolt 12 washers 6 nuts Some gasket material/ pond liner/ vinyl or similar You can get rubber plugs from Home Depot or make the with the items below. Home made plugs 4 lg fender washers 4 med fender washer smaller than exhaust tube at head. 4 small rubber washers 4 lg o rings 3 bolts/nuts Some basic tools. Cut some gasket material to fit the muffler end of the exchangers. Place it against the flange and mark the holes. Punch out the holes Place the 1x6 against the exchanger flanges. Mark the holes Drill the holes where marked Bolt the exchangers to the wood Fill the exchangers with water. Make sure you lift the head ends up where you fill the so they are full or close to full of water. Insert the plugs. If you made some like I did you will need an air gun to tighten them since you can't hold the nut. Insert the plug made with the valve stem. Lay them flat on the floor. Use about 20 PSI at the valve stem. The flanges started leaking at the gaskets but the heated air ducts showed no signs of leakage Attached thumbnail(s) |
Cap'n Krusty |
Feb 7 2014, 11:36 PM
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#2
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
I've worked on literally hundreds, maybe even as many as a couple thousand, 914s over the last 40 years. While I've seen many cracked late model HEs, always in the small section that bolts to the head, I've never seen an early version crack. Lest I forget, I HAVE seen some SSIs where the muffler flange broke off, but that's way downstream of the HE portion and CO in the heater wouldn't have been an issue.
The Cap'n |
930cabman |
Dec 12 2021, 05:15 PM
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#3
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,144 Joined: 12-November 20 From: Buffalo Member No.: 24,877 Region Association: North East States |
I've worked on literally hundreds, maybe even as many as a couple thousand, 914s over the last 40 years. While I've seen many cracked late model HEs, always in the small section that bolts to the head, I've never seen an early version crack. Lest I forget, I HAVE seen some SSIs where the muffler flange broke off, but that's way downstream of the HE portion and CO in the heater wouldn't have been an issue. The Cap'n The small section that bolts to the heads possibly suffer from heat stress (hot/cold cycles) Is a cold pressure test sufficient? $2.k is a tall dollar for replacements |
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