testing braided steel lines?

wrench87 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 05:29 AM

does anyone know if they sell a kit of different size plugs so you can test braides stainless lines with an fittings?, if so who sells them.

Tom Cimino · #2 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 06:00 AM

Earl's has a pressure test kit, available at Summit. Part No. EAR-D016ERL. Includes an air valve and matching plug for sizes -3 to -16AN. Pretty pricey at $99.95.

Bobcat · #3 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 08:20 AM

Just curious ... why do you feel the need to test the assembly ? Have you had a problem with leaks or blow off ? I was in the Mobile hydraulics industry ( Parker ) and the only time we tested lines/hose assemblies in my area was when the customer requested it or it was on something like an aircraft .
If it is assembled correctly and the fittings are compatible and designed for the hose being used , it will work . Where people get into trouble is using fittings from one mfg . on another mfg`s. hose .... the hose cover/O.D. aren`t always compatible .... i.e. , the hose may be too small and the fitting not bite correctly , or the other way around , and you might not get the fitting all the way on the hose . This can really be a big issue as most people think hose is hose and they are all the same . Especially with the introduction of the off shore crap , this isn`t always true .

Bob

Trueoo7 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 12:35 PM

So let me ask you then, are swagelok fittings compatible with Parker?

bobcowan · #5 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 01:43 PM

When I built my car a few years ago, I made the fittings I needed. I used an alum union, with agauge port for the -6 lines. And for the -8 and -10's, simply drilled and tapped for a 1/8" NPT. Then I used a brass 1/8" to 1/4" NPT adapter from NAPA, and connected that to a air hose quick connect.

I maed all three "test fittings" for about $30 or so. The kit is nice if you actually use all those sizes.

Attache th air line at 100psi, and stick it in water.

wrench87 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 02:44 PM

the reason i asked is we have a prostock circle track car that the fuel pump looses its prime, i dont smell any gas so i would imagine the lines are not leaking?, we bought this car and only run it once or twice a year the lines are wrapped so it is hard to see, we have to run a vacuum valve that cuts out fuel delivery. we have changed the pump we have a fram canister style filter i want to take this out then i will remove the top of the fuel cell and take a look inside could be a craked or rotted hose or a cracked fitting ?.
i thought if i could pressure check the lines then i could move on to something else.

Bobcat · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 04:08 PM

True007 .... short answer ... Swagelok fittings aren`t compatible with Parker hose . Swagelok makes a high grade instrumentation type fitting and their hoses are also intended for that application . If I caught one of my customers using fittings that weren`t ours on our hose , they would get a letter from our legal department telling them that was a no no .
Have people done that and gotten away with it ? Yes , but for every one that has , there are a bunch that got bit doing that .

Wrench87 ... What type of lines are you using ? You mentioned a vacuum valve , could that be interrupting the flow sporadically ? Does it work without the vacuum valve ? You can test the lines with a home made pressure tester as bobcowan did very easily . Plugs for the fittings should be readily available and the water test works great . If your problem is on the suction side , then a pressure test is useless . Just replace the hose as the liner may be collapsing and that is hard to detect .
Did you try blowing out the lines ? Maybe there is some crud clogging them .

Good luck .

Bob

Rick Parker · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 03:41 PM

I did it with 2 AN plugs. Drilled and tapped one for a threaded schrader air valve similar to that for a tire. Screw the plugs into the female hose ends of the hose assembly and pressurize (compressor is 125 PSI) then imerse assembly in water for a couple of minutes, looking for bubbles. Works well, about $10.00 per hose size.

wrench87 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-22-2010, 04:42 PM

the vacuum valve was the first thing i removed, i will try blowing out the lines,the seal in the fram fuel filter was flattened i was wondering if it could cause a problem. i will still pull the top plate on the cell so i can take a look inside it is a bladder cell, i have seen the hoses inside the cell collapse or mayby some debri is clogging the pickups at the bottom f the cell?.