you can use a tire pump with the built in gauge, or you can do what I did, and make one. All you need is a 3foot or so piece of air hose,a tire valve stem, 30PSI pressure gauge and a tee fitting. You will also have to make or buy a fitting that screws into the lower unit.
Hi LB:<br /><br />You can purchase a vacuum pump from your local auto supplier. There are some plastic ones out there that are really reasonable. Some units are reversable (pressure/vacuum)A lower unit should be checked for pressure as well as vacuum leaks. The pumps usually come with tapered adapters (be careful they don't leak)I took a vent plug, drilled a hole through it, and silver-soldered a hose fitting to it.<br /><br />
You can buy a pressure tester made for marine use from www.boatered.com. They also have the vacuum testers which are often used for a complete LU test.<br /><br />These are much more expensive than the MityVac tester Schematic showed, but are shop quality.<br /><br />Yes, if you are going to maintain your engines yourself, then you need to do these tests.
