Where can I buy an air tank?

[vr4gasmtt]

Whats the cheapest place I can get an air tank to run a boost leak test? I searched, some people said go to Walmart, but Walmart is 200 miles from where I live.

Where should I go, and what exactly am I asking for?

 

[DSM90AWD]

Whats the cheapest place I can get an air tank to run a boost leak test? I searched, some people said go to Walmart, but Walmart is 200 miles from where I live.

Where should I go, and what exactly am I asking for?

I've seen Home Depot offer a great price (just over $100) for a pancake-style compressor with a couple tools. Could also check out Harbor Freight, Sears, eBay or the local Farmers Market / Swapper Rag... keyword "Air Compressor"

 

[wret]

Most of the big chain auto parts stores have chinese built compressors that compete in price with good ole' Harbor Freight. You can look there first. Otherwise you can get one of these for $60.

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or one of these for $24 at HF.

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[Defiant]

I didn't know you could still get 200 miles from a Wal*Mart. You're probably best off going to eBay, or just using a bicycle pump. You're not dealing with a lot of volume, nor a lot of pressure.

 

[absolute_DSM]

using a bicycle pump.

Exactly, unless youre planning on running some air tools, just use a $5 bike pump.

 

[Talesin]

Even then, those tiny compressors wouldn't even be enough to run an air ratchet, much less an impact gun. Bike pump, or one of those cheapo emergency tire inflators that plug into your cigarette lighter. They should be able to handle 20psi no problem, and a lot of them come with an auto-shutoff dial so it won't over-pressurize the intake tract.

 

[vr4gasmtt]

Exactly, unless youre planning on running some air tools, just use a $5 bike pump.

Well from searching alot of boost leak threads, most of the people are saying that a bike pump won't be able to pressurize the system fast enough, before all the leaks get out. But I guess I will go out and buy a bike pump and see how that works.

I'm hoping I have a boost leak, otherwise, its either the motor or the turbo.

 

[Chuck_3]

What about going to a gas station. Lot of them have air to fill up your tires.

 

[elfroggo]

A bike pump? That's really not going to work. Tire air compressor doesn't work well either. It's too loud when it's on.

If you have a boost leak how are you going to find it with a bike pump? You'll just be pumping all day and build no pressure. A tire air compressor is way too slow as well. It shoots out little puffs of air. Now it will build pressure if there are no leaks, but what if there are? The thing is way too loud when it's on to hear the leaks.

Air tank is cheaper than air compressor. You can fill air tanks at a gas station but you'll just have to go back to refill

 

[vr4gasmtt]

A bike pump? That's really not going to work. Tire air compressor doesn't work well either. It's too loud when it's on.

If you have a boost leak how are you going to find it with a bike pump? You'll just be pumping all day and build no pressure. A tire air compressor is way too slow as well. It shoots out little puffs of air. Now it will build pressure if there are no leaks, but what if there are? The thing is way too loud when it's on to hear the leaks.

Air tank is cheaper than air compressor. You can fill air tanks at a gas station but you'll just have to go back to refill

Where should I be looking for an air tank then? I could not find no HF air tank for $24, any one have a link?

 

[Tsi_User]

A bike pump? That's really not going to work. Tire air compressor doesn't work well either. It's too loud when it's on.

If you have a boost leak how are you going to find it with a bike pump? You'll just be pumping all day and build no pressure. A tire air compressor is way too slow as well. It shoots out little puffs of air. Now it will build pressure if there are no leaks, but what if there are? The thing is way too loud when it's on to hear the leaks.

Air tank is cheaper than air compressor. You can fill air tanks at a gas station but you'll just have to go back to refill

Actually both methods have worked fine for me.

With a bike pump, unless you have a massive boost leak it is not going to all escape before you can hear it. I guess if you have a massive boost leak this might happen, but that's when you get a friend to pump while you check for leaks.

And a tire air compressor works also, you just can't be right next to the compressor . If it has a long hose and you're far enough away from it with some soapy water you can definately find boost leaks.

 

[Spades]

how about using a tire compressor just to fill the air tank? how many gallon tank is ideal to perform a boost leak test? and what PSI should it be filled to?

 

[Defiant]

Use your spare tire.