Just a little while ago, I was seriously contemplating of buying a gearcase pressure tester. Now I must admit most of these units are pretty expensive, some over 250$. So I decided I would embark in the wonderful inovative world of "MAKING YOUR OWN" And yes I will show you how.

The purpose of the tester is to place a small amount of air pressure inside the gearcase (once the gear oil has been drained) This will tell you two things; 1-Is the lower unit leaking, (with time if not already water would enter the gearcase) and 2- Were is it leaking and what seal do I need to change.

I will be submitting a second guide on how to perform various gearcase pressure tests. but for now I'll show you how to build one. Keep in mind this is how I did it. There probably are easier and simple ways of making this tester. And I would love to here your thoughts in my blog, Under "My world".

Here is a picture of the unit I made

It is actually very easy. Everything you see here was bought at my local hardware store. You could use different variations of the components.

First was a foot pump.

A tire valve (they act as a cheap check valve).

  A  bleader valve.

A cheap pressure gauge(look for a low pressure if possible).

A shut off valve.

2 compressor couplings (I had these spare in my garage) This allows you to disconnect the hose without loosing the pressure. and submerging the lower unit in water to check the location of the leak.

And of coarse the male adapter the threads into the gearcase.

This is again found at a hardware store, it's actually from a bottle of gear case oil for outboard motors. most of them include this little hand pump and at the end is the adapter. I cut the threads back, normally it's too long and bottoms out in the housing.

I connected everything with clear gas line ,clamps and "T"s and elbows. You don't need to get too fancy here cause the most pressure your going to use is 15 psi.

Well that's it. I'm sure most of you will enjoy making your own and I hope you have enjoyed reading mine.

Please vote Yes below.

Thank You