Cooling System Test Pump

[Wee Loon]

Thinking of buying a pump to aid bleeding of the cooling system. Sealey and Sykes Pickavant do similar pumps, the SP one requires a specific adapter for the header tank, the Sealey one uses an inflatable bladder to seal on the tank. They only cost around £100 therefore certainly worth doing rather than paying garage rates for coolant changes every couple of years (especially when you have 2 Elises).
Has anyone used either of these and can offer any comments on which would be best ?.

[normalbloke]

Try Draper.
I have one bought from a local tool shop.This also has a universal "bung", but it does work well.
I have an electric water pump on my Caterham, and this tool makes bleeding and setting up a 5 minute job.Have had it for about 3 years now, so has proved durable.Cost was £25.
Where in the UK are you?I am near Southampton if you want to look/try it.

[GreenV8S]

Are you talking about leak testers or vacuum pumps? Leak testers will be no help at all for filling, I would have thought.

[Wee Loon]

It's a hand pump that enables you to pressurise the cooling system to enable easier bleeding of trapped air, as shown in the workshop manual.

[normalbloke]

Mine is the hand pump,with gauge to enable pressurisation of the coolant system.It will show leaks, but it does as Wl correctly says, enable air locks/traps to be forced through the system to a point that allows it to be bled off.I have an electric water pump, and this is the only technique that works quickly and with repeatable results.I also have a charge cooler on the car, and again, this is invaluable to bleed this system also.....

[Wee Loon]

Thanks NB, I'll check out the Draper pump. I do have access to a tool that enables you to fuly evacuate the cooling system (using a compressed air supply) to the point of the hoses collapsing. You then flick the valve over and it draws the fresh coolant in from a container into which you've already mixed the correct volume of anti-freeze and water. The only issue is that there isn't enough vertical access on the Elise over the header tank without removing the lid. Otherwise it's a brilliant tool for filling the system without introducing any air.