Pressurizes the cooling system to 16–20 PSI and holds it for 15–20 minutes. Any external leak — including pinholes that evaporate in Chico's summer heat — shows as seeping coolant under pressure. If the system holds pressure but coolant still disappears, the leak is internal — HC combustion test next. $179.99 flat fee.
The coolant pressure test pressurizes the cooling system to 16–20 PSI and holds it for 15–20 minutes. Any external leak — even a pinhole that evaporates in Chico's summer heat before forming a puddle — shows as seeping coolant under sustained pressure. If the system holds pressure but coolant keeps disappearing, the leak is internal (head gasket). The pressure test is $179.99 flat and is the definitive test for external cooling system leaks in Chico.
A pressure adapter replaces the radiator cap or attaches to the coolant reservoir. A hand pump pressurizes the system to its rated pressure (13–18 PSI depending on the vehicle's cap rating). The gauge is monitored for 15–20 minutes. Any external leak — hose fitting, water pump weep hole, radiator crack, thermostat housing, heater core — shows as a pressure drop and visible coolant seepage at the leak point.
Small coolant leaks in Chico hit hot engine surfaces and evaporate in under a second — no puddle under the car, no wet spot on visual inspection. The sustained pressure of the test forces coolant through any seeping surface even if it's microscopic — making invisible Chico summer leaks visible.
Finds: all external leaks including pinhole hoses, weeping gaskets, water pump seal seepage, heater core leaks, and radiator cracks. Does not find: internal head gasket leaks where coolant enters the combustion chamber (no external path). If system holds pressure but coolant still disappears, the HC combustion gas test ($199.99 flat) is the next step.
Gauge holds at 16–20 PSI for the full 20 minutes. All external sealing surfaces are intact. If coolant is still disappearing, the loss is internal — proceed to HC combustion test for head gasket diagnosis.
Pressure drops and we identify the specific leak point — coolant seeping at a hose fitting, water pump, thermostat housing, radiator end tank, or heater core outlet. Written estimate for the specific repair before any work begins.
The coolant pressure test is a flat-fee diagnostic — $179.99 regardless of how many leak points are found or how long the inspection takes. Complete external cooling system integrity test.
The primary Chico use case — sweet smell after shutdown, level slowly dropping, no puddle under the car. The pressure test finds the leak that Chico heat makes invisible.
Step 1 of any head gasket investigation — confirms or rules out all external leaks before proceeding to the HC combustion test for internal leaks. We never skip the pressure test before an HC test.
Post-repair quality check after water pump, thermostat, or radiator service. Confirms the system is sealed after reassembly.
Pressurizes the cooling system to 16–20 PSI and monitors for 15–20 minutes. Any external coolant leak shows as seeping coolant under sustained pressure — including pinholes that evaporate in Chico's summer heat before forming puddles.
$179.99 flat fee regardless of how many leak points are found or how long the inspection takes.
Yes — that's the primary Chico use case. Small leaks evaporate on hot engine surfaces. Sustained pressure forces coolant through any seeping point, making invisible Chico leaks visible.
The coolant is leaking internally into the combustion chamber through a failed head gasket. The HC combustion gas test ($199.99 flat) detects combustion gases in the coolant, confirming internal head gasket failure.
No — coolant level check tells you the quantity in the reservoir. The pressure test tells you whether the sealed system is actually sealed. A system can be at full level after topping off while having an active leak.
digital inspection when performed · Written estimates before any work
📍 2695 CA-32, Chico, CA 95973 · Open Mon–Fri 7AM–6PM · Sat 8AM–5PM · Sun 9AM–5PM
Complete cooling system care · 2695 CA-32, Chico · (530) 826-4275
Buddy Rausch founded Tedious Auto Repair in Chico, CA in 2007 and has been serving Butte County for 18+ years. Buddy oversees shop standards and quality control. All content on this page reflects real procedures, OEM specifications, and cases seen in the shop. Learn more about Buddy →
Tedious Auto Repair at 2695 CA-32, Chico, CA 95973. Mon–Fri 7:00 AM–6:00 PM · Sat 8:00 AM–5:00 PM · Sun 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. ASE-Certified. 4.9 stars, 800+ reviews. Read all reviews →
Labor rate published at $199.99/hr. Every part itemized. You approve the complete estimate before we start. Final invoice matches the estimate — no surprises at pickup. This is standard at Tedious, not something you need to ask for.
Digital inspections with photos on new visits and annually — returning customers receive a check-in inspection. included with service and service. You see what we see before deciding on anything.
Open 7 days: Mon–Fri 7:00 AM–6:00 PM · Sat 8:00 AM–5:00 PM · Sun 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Walk-ins welcome for oil changes and routine service. Call (530) 826-4275 or book online. Serving Chico, Paradise, Oroville, Durham, and all of Butte County, CA.