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Presure testing tubes

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 6:06 am
by Crester
Does anyone know the procedure for leak testing a pontoon tube or have any suggestions ?

Thanks,
Mike

Re: Presure testing tubes

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:17 am
by curtiscapk
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.

Re: Presure testing tubes

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 9:49 am
by Crester
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

Re: Presure testing tubes

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:27 pm
by curtiscapk
Weird never heard of this in 10 years!

Re: Presure testing tubes

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:54 pm
by Jake_Daddy
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.