Draper Expert Cooling System Pressure Test Kit (22 Piece)

The Draper Expert RPT1 Cooling System Pressure Test Kit is a professional twenty-two piece tool set designed for pressure testing the cooling systems of most popular vehicles. With twenty custom adaptors allowing direct connection to the radiator or expansion tank, a hand pump with integrated gauge for controlled, accurate system pressurisation, and a quick coupling system for fast adaptor changes, the RPT1 provides a complete, self-contained cooling system diagnosis solution for professional workshops and skilled home mechanics alike.

Whether diagnosing unexplained coolant loss, locating pressure leaks in the radiator, hoses, water pump or head gasket, or performing pre-sale or post-repair cooling system checks, the RPT1 delivers the coverage, control and ease of use that make it one of the most practically valuable diagnostic kits in the workshop. Supplied in a carrying case with display sleeve for organised, protected storage between uses.

What's in the Kit?

The RPT1 contains twenty-two pieces for comprehensive cooling system pressure testing:

Hand Pump with Gauge and Quick Coupling System: The central tool of the RPT1, the hand pump provides simple, easy and controlled pressurisation of the cooling system to the required test pressure. The integrated pressure gauge allows the applied pressure to be monitored precisely throughout the test — a falling gauge reading indicating a pressure leak within the system that requires further investigation. The quick coupling system allows adaptors to be changed rapidly between vehicle applications without tools, and the pressure release pin allows the system to be safely depressurised before the adaptor is detached — preventing pressurised coolant release and the injury or mess that would result.

Custom Adaptors x20: Twenty custom adaptors provide direct connection to the radiator filler neck or expansion tank cap opening across the broadest possible range of popular vehicle cooling system configurations. Each adaptor is specifically profiled to seal correctly against a particular radiator or expansion tank neck geometry — ensuring a pressure-tight connection for accurate testing without the adaptor leaking and producing a false result. The broad adaptor range reflects the significant variation in cooling system filler neck designs across different vehicle manufacturers, model years and market specifications.

Carrying Case with Display Sleeve: All twenty-two pieces are supplied in a carrying case with display sleeve, keeping the complete kit organised, protected and immediately accessible between jobs — ensuring adaptors are not lost or mixed up and the pump and gauge are protected from workshop damage between uses.

Key Features

• Twenty-two piece cooling system pressure test kit for most popular vehicles
• Twenty custom adaptors for direct connection to radiator or expansion tank across a wide range of vehicle applications
• Hand pump with integrated pressure gauge for simple, controlled and accurately monitored system pressurisation
• Quick coupling system for fast, tool-free adaptor changes between vehicle applications
• Pressure release pin allows safe system depressurisation before adaptor removal — preventing pressurised coolant release
• Diagnoses coolant leaks in radiators, hoses, water pump seals, expansion tanks, heater matrix and head gaskets
• Supplied in carrying case with display sleeve for organised, protected workshop storage
• Manufactured to Draper Expert's professional quality standards

How Cooling System Pressure Testing Works

Pressure testing is the most reliable method of diagnosing cooling system leaks — including those that are not visible during normal operation due to coolant evaporating before it can be seen, leaks that only occur under pressure and are sealed at rest, and internal leaks such as head gasket failures where coolant is lost into the combustion chamber rather than externally.

The RPT1 process is straightforward: select the correct adaptor for the vehicle's radiator or expansion tank filler neck, connect it to the hand pump via the quick coupling, and pump the system to the specified test pressure — typically the pressure rating marked on the vehicle's radiator or expansion tank cap. Once at test pressure, the gauge is monitored. A steady gauge reading indicates the cooling system is pressure-tight. A falling reading indicates a leak — which can then be systematically located by inspecting hose joints, the radiator, water pump housing, heater matrix connections and, if an external source cannot be found, the head gasket and cylinder head mating face.

The pressure release pin is an important safety feature — always depressurise the system using the release pin before removing the adaptor, to prevent hot pressurised coolant from being discharged unexpectedly.

Why Choose the Draper Expert RPT1?

Unexplained coolant loss and cooling system leaks are among the most common and potentially serious diagnostic presentations in the workshop. A leaking cooling system that is not diagnosed and repaired leads progressively to engine overheating, accelerated wear and in severe cases catastrophic engine failure — outcomes that are both expensive and entirely preventable with timely diagnosis.

The RPT1's twenty adaptor range is what makes it genuinely useful across a professional workshop's vehicle pairing rather than just a handful of makes. The fundamental challenge of cooling system pressure testing is not the test procedure itself — it is having the correct adaptor to seal against the specific radiator or expansion tank neck of the vehicle being tested. With twenty custom adaptors covering the most popular vehicle applications, the RPT1 ensures the correct connection is available for the vast majority of vehicles that present to a typical independent workshop.

The controlled hand pump and integrated gauge provide the precision and simplicity that make pressure testing straightforward even for less experienced technicians — there is no external air supply required, no risk of over-pressurising a fragile cooling system with a compressor, and the gauge reading is immediately visible throughout the test. The quick coupling system and pressure release pin are practical details that make day-to-day use of the kit faster and safer.

The Draper Expert range is trusted throughout the UK professional workshop trade for precision engineering, robust build quality and genuine value.

Ideal Applications

The RPT1 is the definitive cooling system diagnostic tool for a wide range of testing and inspection scenarios, including:

• Unexplained coolant loss diagnosis — locating leaks that are not immediately visible through pressure drop testing and systematic inspection
• Radiator leak detection — identifying cracks, pinhole leaks and joint failures in the radiator core and end tanks
• Hose and clip inspection — confirming pressure-tight connections at all hose joints and jubilee clips throughout the cooling circuit
• Water pump seal testing — detecting weeping water pump seals that may only leak under pressure and temperature
• Head gasket integrity checking — identifying internal coolant loss where no external leak can be found, indicating potential head gasket or cylinder head failure
• Post-repair verification — confirming a pressure-tight cooling system following radiator replacement, hose replacement, head gasket repair or water pump replacement
• Pre-purchase vehicle inspection — checking cooling system integrity as part of a pre-sale or pre-purchase vehicle health check

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many adaptors are included in the RPT1? The RPT1 includes twenty custom adaptors covering direct connection to radiator and expansion tank filler necks across the most popular vehicle applications, alongside the hand pump with gauge and carrying case — twenty-two pieces in total.

Q: What pressure should I test the cooling system to? The correct test pressure is typically specified on the vehicle's radiator or expansion tank cap — usually expressed as a bar or PSI rating. Always test to the pressure specified for the vehicle being tested and never exceed the cap rating, as over-pressurising a cooling system can damage hoses, radiator end tanks and other components.

Q: Why is the pressure release pin important? The pressure release pin allows the cooling system to be safely depressurised before the adaptor is removed. Without depressurising first, removing the adaptor from a pressurised cooling system will release pressurised hot coolant — which can cause burns and a significant mess. Always use the release pin before detaching the adaptor.

Q: Can the RPT1 be used to test the radiator cap itself? Radiator and expansion tank cap testing typically requires a separate cap adaptor. Please check whether a dedicated cap testing adaptor is included in the RPT1 kit or is available as a compatible accessory for your specific application.

Q: Can the RPT1 detect head gasket failures? Yes — indirectly. If cooling system pressure drops during testing but no external leak can be found despite a thorough inspection of all hoses, joints, the radiator, water pump and heater connections, this is a strong indicator of an internal leak — the most common cause of which is head gasket failure, where coolant is being lost into the combustion chamber or oil galleries. Further combustion gas testing of the coolant is recommended to confirm head gasket failure.

Q: Is the RPT1 suitable for all vehicle types? The RPT1 is designed for most popular passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The twenty-adaptor range covers the majority of mainstream vehicle cooling system filler neck configurations. Always check that the appropriate adaptor for your specific vehicle is included before use.

Q: Is the RPT1 supplied in a storage case? Yes. The complete twenty-two piece RPT1 kit is supplied in a carrying case with display sleeve, keeping all adaptors organised and the pump and gauge protected between uses.