Oil Cooler - Maximum potential pressure?

Gumbo

Gumbo

Junior member
Location
Cirencester
I am renovating an old cooler and would like to pressure test it prior to fitting.
My local hydraulic shop is making up new hoses and can test the whole setup.
What pressure should he go up to?

Cheers, Tony
 
I'd be very tempted to put it in a bucket of water, blow in one side whilst sticking index finger over other side.
If no bubbles come out, it's ok.
Paul
 
It's a low pressure system.
Maybe there is the potential to damage the oil cooler if too high a test pressure is used.
If it was me I would do as Paul said and then use it.
 
Somebody once said ....When fitting a used oil cooler clean it thoroughly inside. If the engine has had any issues it may be full of metallic bits which could potentially take out your beautiful engine.

I know nothing but he was a designer at MV Agusta Engine development, Varese ; )
 
Some pressure notes here... http://www.mocal.co.uk/products.html

Quite a bit higher than our weeny pumps can deliver methinks.
 
The Laverda oil pump is a positive displacement gear pump and so would probably generate quite a good pressure if there were any resistance in the system.  However there is no real resistance to flow, oil just pours out of huge holes and sloshes around like a dog in a bathtub, so there is very little pressure.  As there's no real pressure then failure of the part is not going to end up in an explosive geyser of hot oil like this gem:
http://youtu.be/72XF_v9H7h8
so there seems little point in pressure testing a cooler for use on a Laverda.  If you're set on the idea then apply just a few psi and cover it in soapy water and look for bubbles.  I would just make sure it's internally clean and put it on.
 
Dellortoman said:
Normal pressure test procedure is to pump it up until it springs a leak, then back the pressure off a bit.  ;)
Click to expand...

You are running hot today Cam, some Champagne posts.  :LOL:
 
Before the triples had oil coolers, there was no extra hole in the base gasket to allow for the flow and return of the cooler, when these gaskets were mistakenly fitted to an oil coolered motor the pressure just built up and usually would blow the supply tubes off - I have seen a couple that also blew the concave side indentations of the early series oil coolers out to a convex shape - but never saw one split. - Regards - Phil
 
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