Head gasket testing apparatus and method

A method of testing a cylinder head gasket for an engine, the method comprising the steps of:

• running the engine to raise the temperature of an engine coolant during a first test period;
• pumping the engine coolant through the engine using a positive displacement pump;
• measuring the temperature of the engine coolant to determine whether the temperature is above a predetermined temperature;
• if the temperature of the coolant is above the predetermined temperature, pre-cooling the engine coolant to have a temperature below the predetermined temperature;
• if the temperature of the engine coolant is below the predetermine temperature, cooling the engine coolant by pumping the engine coolant into a liquid nitrogen heat exchanger to further lower the temperature of the coolant below a second predetermined temperature.

A method of reducing a temperature of an engine coolant for use in conducting a head gasket torture test, comprising the steps of:

• pumping the engine coolant through the engine using a positive displacement pump;
• measuring the temperature of the engine coolant exiting the engine to determine whether the temperature is above a first predetermined temperature;
• if the temperature of the engine coolant is above the first predetermined temperature, pumping the engine coolant through a liquid heat exchanger having a relatively cool brine solution circulating therein;
• if the temperature of the engine coolant is below the first predetermined temperature, pumping the engine coolant into a liquid nitrogen heat exchanger having liquid nitrogen flowing through the liquid nitrogen heat exchanger until the temperature of the engine coolant is below a second predetermined temperature.