What type of test is used to verify cooling system leakage?

• A. Flow
• B. Pressure
• C. Chemical
• D. Temperature

Answer: (B)

When you want to verify a cooling system is leaking, you test it under pressure. By attaching a pressure tester and bringing the system up to its normal operating pressure, you simulate how the system should hold coolant during engine cooling and heating cycles. If there’s a crack, hose, gasket, or seal leak, the pressure will drop or coolant will seep out, making the leak visible or detectable on the gauge. This approach directly reveals leaks by stressing the system, unlike other tests that don’t focus on containment. A flow test checks how coolant moves through passages and the pump but doesn’t prove whether the system can hold pressure, a chemical (dye) test can help locate leaks but is usually used as a supplementary method after a pressure test, and a temperature test just indicates overheating conditions rather than confirming leaks.