6.0 Intercooler Testing

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Apr 28, 2009 | 11:36 PM

jkidd_39

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From: NW Arkansas

6.0 Intercooler Testing

6.0 IC goes in this weekend.

I am taking it to a radiator shop tomorrow and having it pressure tested.

I know you put caps on it and pressurize it with air. Then check for leakdown.

How much pressure do you put in it?

And what is the acceptable loss per minute or 5 minutes or however long.

Thanks guys

Apr 29, 2009 | 12:47 AM

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Apr 29, 2009 | 07:09 AM

totin_tools

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From: Irmo, SC

When I took mine in they did everything themselves. I think they only put probly 10 psi in, and then dunked it in a tank for a minute or two. It took longer to dry it off then it did to test.

Apr 29, 2009 | 08:04 AM

IDPisan

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From: Middleton, Idaho

I used my pressure tester that I had made for testing boost leaks and a rubber sewer plug from the plumbing supply house. It has a bolt that you tighten up to hold in place and make a seal. The first test I did I opened up my air valve to let the air in and blew that plug right out, it went bouncing around the shop like a superball on steroids. The second time I put a coat on the plug and slowly filled the IC to 15 lbs. and let it sit for about an hour. No leak down, she went in the next morning, have fun!

Apr 29, 2009 | 10:37 AM

F250_

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From: North of Greenville

When I talked with Banks about this, they say to run the pressure up to about 35 psi, and it should lose no more than 15% in about 10 minutes.

I posted this a while back and will look for the thread so I can verify the numbers, but the above is what I remember right now.

EDIT: I've searched and searched, and can't find the thread link yet. I'll keep looking. In the meantime, you can also call banks and they can tell you how they do their testing, which is what I did... I think I'm getting an early onset of Ahlzeimers...

.... what are we talking about again? Something about testing a 6-pack in a cooler??

Apr 29, 2009 | 11:57 AM

strokersace

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From: Hutchinson, KS

I took mine to the radiator shop and had them do everything. Now mines a Hypermax tapercore with the aluminum sides so the pressures are alittle different. The first radiator shop said that they only normally pressurize intercoolers to about 15-20psi cause that's what the plugs can easily withstand. So I took it to another one that works on heavy machinery and I told them that I would most likely NEVER see over 40psi going thru it, but pressure test it up to 65 if they could. They said no problem. Called me the next day and said that I had 2 very small pinhole leaks that didn't even present themselves until 40+ psi. After fixing them, they re-pressurized to about 65psi and everything held just fine.

I'd say take it to a shop that specializes in stuff like that and pay the $20 or $30 to have them check it. If for nothing else, peace of mind.

Apr 29, 2009 | 12:05 PM

F250_

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From: North of Greenville

Yes, several local shops I called only wanted to run it up to 10-20 psi and water check it, but I wanted something more. The stock 6.0L unit, IIRC, is only rated up to about 50 psig, though.... can do more, but just not officially rated for more.