Help needed - E53 3.0i cooling system pressure test

[jfoj]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Read the reviews of people that actually brought the tool. Lots of NEGATIVE review on the product.

Here some from their website.

Most Liked Negative Review

not good
This is an impressive package but the components are made so poorly that it shouldn't be sold. No matter how you apply the test adapter to the pump and radiator, it simply doesn't hold...
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Comments about Pittsburgh Automotive Radiator Pressure Tester Kit:
I used epoxy to fix all the cracks, but will still never test up to 16 or 17psi without another crack appearing.

Can't even use on a stant tester. All fittings can be used on others but they are also cheap and crack. Terrible product
BOTTOM LINE No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Comments about Pittsburgh Automotive Radiator Pressure Tester Kit:
If you buy this keep your receipt, the pump housing loves to crack and it will bleed pressure through the pump. Otherwise I love the product.

Comments about Pittsburgh Automotive Radiator Pressure Tester Kit:
So far I have found only ONE vehicle that this Radiator Pressure Testing Tool will work with. All others have no adaptor included in the kit to enable me to do a test. I am not talking about exotic cars and trucks in the least. I am talking about one of the Big Three's vehicles ( I work for a municipality) I also own one of this same manufacturers vehicles - a 2013, and it doesn't work on mine either. It was a waste of money!

Bought this to test coolant system on my 97 Corolla. The cap that is supposed to fit the car is too tight to press down. I didn't won't to force it because of risk of breaking radiator neck. Also the instructions are poorly written. Never could determine how/when to use the #14 stainless fastener which is supposed to be used for all adapters and seat accessories for toyota.

Pay more and get a professional set and avoid the headaches and frustration.

Yea, I read the reviews, but there are also a lot of good ones. But also realize more people will post negative reviews typically then even bother to give a positive or realistic review.

I guess you are just a glass half full kind of guy. Assume you never buy any WING WAng tools or anything from Harbor Fright? But Harbor Freight seems to be doing quite well without your business.

We will just have to agree to disagree.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by upallnight

I have one of these

7099 Professional Cooling System Tank Adapter BMW Merkur | eBay

You will still need a pump, but since I have several watercooled cars I have a nice pump. I would buy a quality tool instead of some WING WAng tools from Harbor Fright.

I LOVE... repeat LOVE shopping at Harbor Freight... but would steer clear of the kit they are selling. The reviews are terrible and a better, more trusted unit can be had for only a few bucks more.

I'd have to agree with Upallnight here.

[cn90]

One on hand you want to help your daughter.

On the other hand, the consequence is severe (blown head gasket).
Best is for you to come over there or tow it to a trusted indy.

[Joshdub]

Harbor Freight is the shit. But this one looks like one of their pieces to steer clear from.

[oldskewel]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Just checking in again now. No progress since yesterday - I'm working on other things. I think I know enough from all this discussion now. It does not make sense for me to buy a $200+ pressure tester tool at this point, but I'll see how things play out.

The X5 is at home, in the driveway, I assume.

Regarding cn90's wise note about not risking a major problem ... the only urgency is that my 17-year-old daughter wants to drive the X5 to school, etc. rather than my old Lexus, until I get back home in 2-3 more weeks. So nobody is really stranded and nothing bad will happen. I am hoping that we'll have a good learning experience if she is motivated enough to work with me over the phone to check, isolate, and fix things herself. We'll see on that one too. But I'll make sure nothing bad happens.

[oldskewel]

Follow up - as expected, when I finally got home, I was able to get it figured out in a few minutes. There was no need for a pressure test here.

The problem was that the coolant bleed screw had cracked radially and that was leaking. Once everything was cleaned and dried, the leak source could be verified by idling the car and either pressing the bleed screw in or just leaving it alone.

To get the car back on the road immediately, my daughter and I MacGuyvered a replacement, but will of course soon be replacing it with the real deal.

Thanks again for the advice.

[cn90]

This is just the beginning. The cooling system is on the verge of failure.

I wrote a partial cooling overhaul DIY @115K in forum if you are interested.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by cn90

This is just the beginning. The cooling system is on the verge of failure.

I wrote a partial cooling overhaul DIY @115K in forum if you are interested.

None of us have any idea if this is just the beginning. You could be correct but far more likely incorrect. The lifespan of the coolings system components is not finite. A periodic inspection is always a good idea at any mileage but a leaking anything in the cooling system does not foreshadow the system on the verge of failure.

[cn90]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

None of us have any idea if this is just the beginning. You could be correct but far more likely incorrect. The lifespan of the coolings system components is not finite. A periodic inspection is always a good idea at any mileage but a leaking anything in the cooling system does not foreshadow the system on the verge of failure.

Inspection is good but in some cases inaccurate.
- The reservoir maybe OK today but cracks next week (ask me how I know).
- The radiator: ditto, the famous place is upper nipple.
- The WP usually gives some noise when bearing goes out, but being inside engine, it is masked by engine noise and people listening to music in the cabin, then kaboom. There is a member listing the WP going out at 125K (forgot his name).

The recommendation by most BMW indy mechanics is that: at ___ miles, do an overhaul, it gives people peace of mind, and avoids a head gasket job...

There are tons of info on cooling system failure in E39 forums, it fails like clockwork. Many people regret they didn't do an overhaul sooner.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by cn90

Inspection is good but in some cases inaccurate.
- The reservoir maybe OK today but cracks next week (ask me how I know).
- The radiator: ditto, the famous place is upper nipple.
- The WP usually gives some noise when bearing goes out, but being inside engine, it is masked by engine noise and people listening to music in the cabin, then kaboom. There is a member listing the WP going out at 125K (forgot his name).

The recommendation by most BMW indy mechanics is that: at ___ miles, do an overhaul, it gives people peace of mind, and avoids a head gasket job...

There are tons of info on cooling system failure in E39 forums, it fails like clockwork. Many people regret they didn't do an overhaul sooner.

Of course there are times where something is not there at the time of the inspection or is missed.

Peace of mind and best practices are untouchable positions but the fact is some folks have limited expendable income. I don't think overhauling a system because of the failure of one component should be presented as if that is the only alternative to prevent a catastrophic engine failure.

Building a scenario of why all hell is going to break loose if you don't do an overhaul, or what happens with an E39 or most mechanics say with blank miles etc. are misleading to me. When there is a cooling system leak there will be loss of coolant or coolant on the ground. When a cooling system component fails the temperature gauge will peg and there will be a warning light on the dash. They will likely be steam rolling out from under the hood. It doesn't matter how loud the engine or radio is--it will be like old faithful sets off. If one is a member here I am quite sure they will notice one of those things and pull over and shut off the engine. I've been running high performance engines for decades. Overheating is quite a common problem even with all new components. If my pea brain notices a problem before there is engine damage I see no reason most here wouldn't as well.

Why are there so many comments like---you can't have a BB gun, you're going to shoot your eye out?