Presure testing tubes

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Crester
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2018 12:16 pm

Presure testing tubes

#1 Post by Crester » Thu Jan 11, 2018 6:06 am

Does anyone know the procedure for leak testing a pontoon tube or have any suggestions ?

Thanks,
Mike

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curtiscapk
Posts: 5393
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake

Re: Presure testing tubes

#2 Post by curtiscapk » Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:17 am

Careful!

Many boats have plugs on the top of the toons. You could use Gorilla tape to tape a vacuum cleaner hose (that blows) to the port. Then go over the seams with soapy water.

The fix is easy. Finding the hole sometimes can be a little difficult. But you want a peace of mind that your boat's not going to partially sink. Then you'd need to drill a big hole in the hull to drain it completely. Small welds is all it takes often to fix the problem.

Just remember, anything over 3 psi will pop your pontoon.
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Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS

Crester
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2018 12:16 pm

Re: Presure testing tubes

#3 Post by Crester » Thu Jan 11, 2018 9:49 am

Thanks curtiscapk ! I goggled the process and came up with this plan ... Making a smoker using an old 1 gal paint can , one tube in bottom (intake) to fish tank pump . Another tube out of top of can runs to plug with fitting in top of pontoon log and pump smoke in the log burn wet pine needles for fuel . Wish me luck !!!

Thanks,
Mike

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curtiscapk
Posts: 5393
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake

Re: Presure testing tubes

#4 Post by curtiscapk » Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:27 pm

Weird never heard of this in 10 years!
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS

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Jake_Daddy
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2016 12:32 pm
Location: Merritt Island, FL

Re: Presure testing tubes

#5 Post by Jake_Daddy » Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:54 pm

Thats a great idea. When I was a mechanic we used the same method for finding small pinhole leaks in emissions hoses and similar. Had a fancy machine with some vapor liquid but I do like that method! The only advice I can offer is play with lighting when you do it because smoke from a really small hole can sometimes be difficult to see.
2001-20' Godfrey Sweetwater
1991 Mercury 90hp
Merritt Island, FL

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