I need a means to pressure test my bike oil tank (along with others in the future no doubt) and I am wondering the best way to do it.
I thought the easiest way would be to use an inline tyre (schrader) valve then I can just seal the other connections on the tank, and pump it up to a
set pressure with a foot pump or airline. But I cant seem to find valves in the right configuration
(inline).
I need to know what pressure I am putting into the tank so this was the easiest way I could think of.
Any suggestions?
Thanks 
Have you got any 8mm or 10mm fittings on your tanks? If so then I'm sure if you cut the mushroom off the bottom of a normal tyre valve to you
leave a parrallel shnak then this could be jubileed into a hose and the other end of the hose on to the tank.
I take it we're only talking 10-15psi?
Davie
or for a fancier solution turn a nice hollow aluminium blanking cap for one of the bigger hoses, pop a hole in the end and pull a tyre valve in as per
car wheel rim fitment.
Davie
Is this for a proper pressure test or just a leak test? A proper pressure test at operating pressure +60% etc would normally be done with a liquid medium as it's easier to pump up to pressure and doesn't contain vast amounts of energy (shrapnel) if the tank does let go?
Thanks, I did think about doing that. And its probably what I may end up doing anyway.
I guess I was just wondering if anyone knew of a source of screw in or inline schrader valves then I could make up a proper adaptor which will last
for a while, rather than hash something together
My tanks have -6JIC fittings on them, so 8mm bore hose.
ETA - its just for leak testing. The tanks themselves dont run under any pressure at all.
[Edited on 29/3/11 by flak monkey]
theres always a penetrating oil (diesel) test with a bit of talc on the outside, its good enough for 80m storage tanks, though we do a pressure service test too.
quote:
Originally posted by flak monkey
I guess I was just wondering if anyone knew of a source of screw in or inline schrader valves then I could make up a proper adaptor which will last for a while, rather than hash something together
Many fuel pressure rails have in screw in Schrader valves I bought a couple of Rover KV6 ones a couple of years ago to make up a cooling system
tester --- might still have one ISTR a brass fitting with M12 male thread.
Other source is bolt in tyre valves --- I have a couple of spare light alloy ones.
I sealed up the holes, blew up a balloon, and taped it over the fuel outlet.
The next morning it had not gone down!
That tank was never meant to be pressurised, I was just checking for leaks.
Well, it's a locost option!
You can get a pump and gauge for checking radiators on cars could you adapt something like that
just pump it up and watch the gauge
Jacko
Thanks gents, will investigate the options