Subject: UView 550000 Airlift Cooling System Leak Checker/Airlock Purge Tool Kit

[78F350]

I bought a cheap one similar to that a few years ago. It functioned and I used it more than I expected. Make sure that you have enough cfm of air output from your compressor to run it. Expect the fittings to leak after a few uses and have a towel ready in the trunk.
If you are using it once and not likely to do it again, check if your local parts store loans a good one. I'll probably be putting mine in the trash soon and buying a UView.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by 78F350

I bought a cheap one similar to that a few years ago. It functioned and I used it more than I expected. Make sure that you have enough cfm of air output from your compressor to run it. Expect the fittings to leak after a few uses and have a towel ready in the trunk.
If you are using it once and not likely to do it again, check if your local parts store loans a good one. I'll probably be putting mine in the trash soon and buying a UView.

Apprciate the feedback, but...
Specifically, which "cheap one" did you buy?

[Frodo]

Well I guess I can’t make comparisons between the “cheap one similar to that” you bought (since I still don’t know which one that was) and the one I did go ahead and buy yesterday (the OEM Tools model). Suffice it to say, this one seems to be of decent quality. I’m no youngster—I doubt I’ll be doing DIY maintenance for decades to come and, as far as doing coolant projects, I’m comfortable that what I got will serve my needs. I’m not convinced that the problems you suggest will happen will in fact happen with this unit, and if they do they’re not insurmountable. If it craps out on me I’ll man-up and report as much here on this thread. The compressor I’ll be using should be just fine on cfm provided—thanks for mentioning that. And, when it comes to coolant work in the trunk, I always “have a towel ready.” Not doing so, regardless of WHICH product you’re using, seems to me to be a really bad idea.

I should also point out that I actually see a slight advantage of the OEM unit over the Uview. The OEM one has a separate connection for pulling the fresh coolant, which allows you to prime the intake tubing (ie get the air out) by use of the compressor/venturi process, as shown at 11:39 on youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbQ77-zDOEo

This as opposed to dunking the whole fill tube into the bucket of coolant, which is what I’ve seen done on vids about the Uview model. A minor advantage, sure, but it would seem to makes things a little less messy.

I did check with the Advanced Auto, AZ and O’Reilly auto parts stores locally—unfortunately none of them had anything similar to these products to loan out.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Well I guess I can’t make comparisons between the “cheap one similar to that” you bought (since I still don’t know which one that was) and the one I did go ahead and buy yesterday (the OEM Tools model). Suffice it to say, this one seems to be of decent quality. I’m no youngster—I doubt I’ll be doing DIY maintenance for decades to come and, as far as doing coolant projects, I’m comfortable that what I got will serve my needs. I’m not convinced that the problems you suggest will happen will in fact happen with this unit, and if they do they’re not insurmountable. If it craps out on me I’ll man-up and report as much here on this thread. The compressor I’ll be using should be just fine on cfm provided—thanks for mentioning that. And, when it comes to coolant work in the trunk, I always “have a towel ready.” Not doing so, regardless of WHICH product you’re using, seems to me to be a really bad idea.

I should also point out that I actually see a slight advantage of the OEM unit over the Uview. The OEM one has a separate connection for pulling the fresh coolant, which allows you to prime the intake tubing (ie get the air out) by use of the compressor/venturi process, as shown at 11:39 on youtube vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbQ77-zDOEo

This as opposed to dunking the whole fill tube into the bucket of coolant, which is what I’ve seen done on vids about the Uview model. A minor advantage, sure, but it would seem to makes things a little less messy.

I did check with the Advanced Auto, AZ and O’Reilly auto parts stores locally—unfortunately none of them had anything similar to these products to loan out.

You can add that feature to the Uview with a simple ball valve on the intake line; just use the ball valve to prime the intake line while evacuating the system; problem solved.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

You can add that feature to the Uview with a simple ball valve on the intake line; just use the ball valve to prime the intake line while evacuating the system; problem solved.

I suspected—assumed, actually—you had a response to that one John!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

I suspected—assumed, actually—you had a response to that one John!

Those of us that swing tools for a living are quick to spot small problems with otherwise really good tools and find a quick and inexpensive fix that makes them perfect. It is in our nature to find optimum ways to "beat the clock".

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Apprciate the feedback, but...
Specifically, which "cheap one" did you buy?

Apologies for not meeting your timeline. The one I purchased was like this:


What I should have said is that if you are going to use it rarely, an inexpensive one will get the job done, but once you have it you may end up using it more than you expected and a higher quality one may be worth the cost.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by 78F350

Apologies for not meeting your timeline.

What I should have said is that if you are going to use it rarely, an inexpensive one will get the job done, but once you have it you may end up using it more than you expected and a higher quality one may be worth the cost.

If I do end up using it more than I expect then you will be correct, I will regret not getting the Uview. I somehow just don't think that'll be a problem. Time will tell.

No apology needed, you got around to it.