Cooling System Pressure Testing
Find the Invisible.
Prevent the Inevitable.
Losing coolant but can't see a leak in the bilge? We use specialized hydrostatic pressure testing to pinpoint microscopic breaches in your heat exchanger, hoses, and block before they cause a catastrophic offshore overheat.
Micro-Leak Detection
Some leaks only occur when the engine is under load and at operating temperature. We artificially pressurize the cold system to simulate these conditions, forcing hidden leaks in hoses and clamps to reveal themselves instantly.
Heat Exchanger Integrity
If the pressure gauge drops but there's no visible water outside the engine, your heat exchanger core may have failed. This means you are pumping precious antifreeze directly out the exhaust with the raw water.
Cap Calibration Check
A faulty radiator cap lowers the boiling point of your coolant. We test the cap's relief valve independently to ensure it is holding the exact OEM PSI rating required to keep your engine running cool.
The Diagnostic Protocol.
Data-driven analysis.
Cold System Prep
Testing must be done on a cold engine. We remove the expansion tank cap and securely attach the precision analog or digital pressure testing manifold.
Static Pressurization
We pump the closed-loop system up to the manufacturer's specified pressure (typically 14 to 16 PSI) to simulate standard operating load conditions.
Gauge Monitoring
The system is left to hold pressure for 15-30 minutes. A steady needle means a healthy system. Any pressure drop indicates a breach that needs to be tracked down.
Visual & Dye Trace
If the pressure drops, we perform a thorough visual inspection of all joints, water pumps, and hoses. If necessary, UV fluorescent dye is introduced to trace microscopic weeping.
Diagnostic Equipment.
Professional grade tools.
Technical Specs.
Testing parameters.
Common Questions
I have to add coolant every month, but my bilge is dry. Why?
You likely have an internal leak. A breached heat exchanger will leak coolant into the raw water side, where it gets harmlessly pumped out the exhaust with no trace left in the boat.
Can a bad cap really cause an overheat?
Yes. The pressure cap raises the boiling point of the coolant. If the spring in the cap gets weak, the system loses pressure, the coolant boils at a lower temperature, and your engine overheats under heavy load.
| Manufacturer | Breeze Marine Boat Service |
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