RELD Head Gasket Tester

In this video we use the RELD head gasket test kit to test for any head gasket issues on our 2009 Subaru Tribeca. I had to put a radiator in this SUV a while back and we are going to take the Tribeca on the first long distance trip since that replacement. The radiator cracked along the passenger side on the plastic side so since I had no other issues with hoses blowing off etc. I believe the head gasket is ok. I do want the peace of mind before we go on our long distance family trip. I am behind getting this video out because I also had the fuel pump give issues and I had a lot of troubleshooting time involved in that and even more time putting together a video on the troubleshooting that. I hope you find this video helpful or at least informational. Thanks for watching!
Amazon Affiliate links to some of my favorite Tools/Items if interested:
Any links you click on helps support the Channel and I greatly appreciate it!
RELD Head Gasket Test Kit if needed: amzn.to/3FVsoxH
M18 High Torque Impact if needed: amzn.to/3QyPOhk
Launch X431 Bi-Directional Scan tool if needed: amzn.to/4798wTM
or: amzn.to/40DOs9x
Belt Tensioner Kit if needed: amzn.to/40y41j4
Radiator pressure test kit if needed: amzn.to/3MFOIiN
Fuel Pressure test kit if needed: amzn.to/47qW4OW
DeWalt Cordless Gyroscopic Screwdriver if needed: amzn.to/3Eevk8f
Extra Long Security bits if needed: amzn.to/3KVQNGQ
TOMLOV DM202 MAX Microscope if needed: amzn.to/3Uy0RIF
Cheap Spot Welder Board if needed: amzn.to/3WcRwWA
Weller 200W Iron if needed: amzn.to/30nzhT2
LiPo Voltage Monitor/Alarm if needed: amzn.to/3OxLJKy
JST-XH Connector kit if needed: amzn.to/3OgW1yg
JST-XH Pre-made extensions if needed: amzn.to/3OhMlE1
200MHZ Rigol DS1202Z-E scope if needed: amzn.to/35UVTLI
Hakko 888D Iron if needed: amzn.to/36TDWyv
Conical Bent Hakko Tip if needed: amzn.to/3B57IjD
Desoldering Gun if Needed: amzn.to/2SOTVIM
0-60V 0-5A Power Supply if needed: amzn.to/4158YzL
Cliff Quick Test Tester if needed: amzn.to/3Leff5W
Peak ESR70 Cap Tester if needed: amzn.to/44OGnPH
ProStormer Hot Air Station if needed: amzn.to/3XIiKEY
Cheap Hot Tweezer set if needed: amzn.to/3sKc8fH
Jumpers - DuPont Ribbon type if needed: amzn.to/3RfWanE
Rosin Flux if needed: amzn.to/45KKWLT
Bottle for Flux if needed: amzn.to/3sv0x45
150W Load Tester if needed: amzn.to/30i8sn8
Similar to Drok DC-DC Converter if needed: amzn.to/3eUJZYk
OFLA Locking Blade knife if needed: amzn.to/3BxMbSO
Pair of 3S 5.2Ah 60C LiPo batteries with XT-60 Connectors if needed: amzn.to/3UAl40e
GM328 if needed: amzn.to/30rBFrJ
WD-40 Contact Cleaner (Plastic Safe): amzn.to/2Yjo6e5
FlirOne USB C if needed: amzn.to/36VX1jn
Rigol DS1102E Scope if needed: amzn.to/35UVLvI
Atlas ESR-70 if needed: amzn.to/2QR1z4W
NF AMTECH NC-559-V2 Flux 10mL if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/amt...
NF Low Melt Solder PK of 6 sticks if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/low...
NF Premium Desolder Braid Wick if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/pre...
NF Dual Head ESD Safe Hard Cleaning Brush if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/dua...
NF Mechanic Tweezers if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/mec...
Solder wire 100g 60/40 if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/bes...
NF.Mini Soldering Pen if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/por...
NF Board holder with 5 strong magnets if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/nor...
NF Universal Board Holder if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/uni...
NF Atten ST-862D Hot Air Station if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/att...
NF Grinding Pen with 7 tips if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/gri...
UNI-T UTI260B Thermal Camera if needed:
northridgefix.com/product/uni...

[@cutum]

Cool test. I didn't know such a kit existed. Appreciate the video

[@ElectromagneticVideos]

What a nifty little device. Since it works by detecting CO2, it probably could also be used in other situations where one suspects leaking combustion gases.

[@bobsoft]

Handy and inexpensive tool to have, but it does not always work. I borrowed the OEM TOOLS Engine Combustion Leak Detector from the auto parts store and tested my Dodge truck. The truck was going thru coolant and are known to have head gasket problems on that particular engine. It tested fine with no color change in the fluid. A couple weeks later on a drive home from work, my truck was spitting out white smoke like a steam engine. Pull the heads off and found cylinder #1 was leaking around the head gasket.

[@ThriftyToolShed]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jdmccorful]

Nice show! Thanks.

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! Thrifty Have a nice trip!🚗

[@mikebroom1866]

Most VW's expansion tank is pressurized, there is no other coolant cap.

[@aurthorthing7403]

Ford and Lincoln continentals and Exipeditions have pressurized overflow tanks. Many Ford products do.

[@slingblade01]

Interesting test kit. What's the squeak when the Subaru is cold, bearing on AC or alternator?

[@ThriftyToolShed]

I do believe I have a minor squeak from the A/C compressor when cold. The other noise I tried my best to filter out (which made the audio a little odd) was from crickets, actual bugs this time of year. They can be annoying. Thanks for your comment!;

[@AlexSharaz]

Bought 1 of these to test my Defender TD5. My only question is how long is a few mins? From old ran engine for 35 mins and it took 30 mins ish b4 colour started turning green and yellow. Guess it tool a while to get to normal operating temp. Guess need to get to normal working temp, wsit til it cools a bit so i can get the header tank cap off and try again.

[@ThriftyToolShed]

It did not take over 10 minutes for me. Once you reach operating temperature it does not help to run longer if I understand it right. Are you sure the color change was not coolant getting into the test fluid? I shared in the video how easy it is to accidentally let it creep in.

[@alanwhitaker7919]

If not the head gasket, what was putting air in the coolant for it to bubble?

[@ThriftyToolShed]

Well it could be a head gasket issue for sure so I had the fluid to verify. In my case it was the expansion of the coolant when heating up and the level was increasing so it was pushing up. I even mentioned that I had to drain just a little so it would not push into the tester. That usually would just go into the overflow tank.

[@campcop9214]

How long do you idle before before the test can be inserted, nornal needle temp?

[@ThriftyToolShed]

That is what I did. I did wait for the normal operating temperature and let it run a few minutes to make sure.

[@campcop9214]

@ThriftyToolShed I see thank you. Sounded like engine was revving higher than idle. I guess that's how you get the needle up though. Cheers

[@Hello_there_obi]

How long do you have to wait after turning off the engine to put the radiator cap back on?

[@ThriftyToolShed]

I put the cap back on not long at all after the test was completed. Just remember as pressure starts to build up you cannot remove it again until the engine cools off!

[@Hello_there_obi]

@@ThriftyToolShed so its safe to put the cap back on straight away ie when the engine is still cooling? Wouldn’t that create a suction effect?

[@ThriftyToolShed]

@@Hello_there_obi My cap is designed to work with overflow and will release if needed and pull back whenever needed. If you are unsure simply wait until it cools.

[@Hello_there_obi]

@@ThriftyToolShed thanks man!

[@MadTitanGamer]

I did exactly the same we must be blowing some serious Chernobyl gases lol or the fluid is really good and sensitive. I ran my test on my diesel for about ten minutes and stayed blue. Only thing mine didn’t do was bubble at all.

[@ThriftyToolShed]

HI, It does have to be sealed well and mine only did it well if I pressed it tight. Only once did it bubble some without me holding it down tightly sealed. After getting up to operating temp some pressure should build I believe.

[@pstreetgarage7304]

Detects CO2.? Interesting. First time seeing this