Subject:
- Flue gas test
Flue gas test:
We perform a flue gas test when there is a loss of coolant without external leakage. The flue gas tester measures the presence of exhaust gases in the coolant. If this is the case, the head gasket may be leaking. The coolant can enter the combustion chamber (reducing the level in the reservoir), but this can also cause the exhaust gases to enter the cooling system.
The picture shows the flue gas tester. When the engine is running, the flue gas tester is held above the coolant. The cap of the expansion tank or the radiator cap must of course be removed.
There is blue test liquid in the tester. By squeezing and releasing the air bellows at the top of the tester each time, air is drawn in. The liquid present in the tester changes color from blue to green when CO (carbon monoxide) is detected. When the fluid turns green in color, it can be assumed that there is carbon monoxide in the coolant and it is very likely that there is a head gasket failure.
The operation of the flue gas tester can also be Worden controlled by exhaling against the bottom and squeezing the air bellows. The CO present in the exhaled air will also discolour the liquid.
To get the liquid blue again, the air bellows have to be squeezed a number of times to let the outside air flow past the liquid. The liquid will slowly return to its original color.
Related pages:
