how to test supercharger intercoolers for leaks

[fastboatster]

I wonder what’s the easiest way to test the intercoolers, especially when they are not leaking like sieves. I took my supercharger off today, and the driver side bank has mostly dry carbon buildup on the intake valves, but the passenger side buildup seems to be wet. Cylinder 3 even has very small amount of liquid. I don’t see any pink flakes yet. I tried to connect a garden hose to the supercharger coolant lines, but didn’t see any leaks coming out of the ICs. Most likely, not enough pressure and I didn’t seal the lines.

[cees]

I tested mine the same way after my intercooler went out. Had coolant buildup in cyl 3 and coolant puddle in there as well. I tested it the same way I just put a pair of needle nose pliers on the other coolant hose to build up some pressure and noticed a small leak in mine.

[fastboatster]

I tested mine the same way after my intercooler went out. Had coolant buildup in cyl 3 and coolant puddle in there as well. I tested it the same way I just put a pair of needle nose pliers on the other coolant hose to build up some pressure and noticed a small leak in mine.

Bingo! I forgot that I got a set of pinch off clamps somewhere. I need to find another piece of heater/coolant hose because the one which connects the metal pipes to the supercharger doesn’t fit my garden hose.

[Morritse]

Cover one hole and blow/suck on the other one with your mouth. Not even kidding.

[maksym]

I’ve attached a piece of garbage disposal hose to each port. Plugged one hose, and connected the other one into the pressure test kit I’ve rented from advanced auto.


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[toastsauce]

Vacuum bleeder

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[fastboatster]

I was able to use AutoZone cooling system pressure testing kit to leak test my supercharger intercoolers. I inserted on of the adapters which came with a kit into one of the rubber hoses and plugged another supercharger hose with a plug which can with my replacement engine. I pumped it up to about 1.5 bar aka 21.7 psi (I think more like 21 psi) and checked back in 10 mins. It looks like ICs held the pressure just fine, I don’t think there was any pressure drop:
9E2C1143-E13B-4043-8C4C-38A181BC40E4.jpg
642A5923-33CC-4C34-81A5-18C9A2443ED3.jpg
I used the same specs service manual says to use to test the entire system - pump up to 21.7psi, if no more than 2.9 psi drop after 10 mins, pass. The caveat here is they want you to pressure test the hot system and 2.9 psi drop is what they say is going to be caused by cooling.
In any case, looks like my ICs are NOT leaking, and the valves on cyl 3 are likely wet with engine oil. Need to understand how normal it is to have a small amount of oil there. After all, pcv is blowing the oil into the intake all the time.

[Callandor]

Here's me testing my intercoolers:

https://imgur.com/a/DT2nrhh

Need to be real careful removing them. I screwed one of my up gently hammering it out, fortunately it was already leaking so it didn't matter.