Tool review: Mityvac Silverline Elite Automotive Test Kit
The MV8500 Silverline Elite Automotive Test Kit from Mityvac performs engine performance diagnostics, brake bleeding, fluid transfer, evacuation, sampling and windshield repair with twice the vacuum and pressure output as previous models. The pump produces 28" Hg vacuum or pressure up to 60psi. Surrounded by a protective rubber boot, the gearless diaphragm gauge can be rotated 360 degrees for improved visibilty.
The review
Rollin Hansen, a longtime tech at Auto Tech & Body in Roselle, Ill., and the 2009 TECH-NET/ASE Tech of the Year, spent some time with Mityvac’s Silverline Elite Automotive Test Kit.
“I was impressed with how accurate the gauge is and with the build quality of the tool,” Rollin said. “The attachments seem to fit everything we’ve tried so far.”
He liked being able to do both pressure and vacuum with the pump. “You know, what do we have to create pressure? Initially I was tricked. I pumped it up and thought, ‘Hey this thing doesn’t even vacuum, this gauge is broken.’ Then I realized the switch was flipped over to pressure … when it blew the hose off.”
Rollin liked the pressure feature especially for checking GM pressure sensors on the gas tank “with just a small amount of pressure.”
He also liked the adjustable gauge to rotate the face to where you need to see it while testing.
