Anyone got any advice on cylinder leakage testing?

[cerby6pot]

I wanted to check the integrity of the cylinder head gaskets/pistons/valves etc. and have been recommended by a friend that I do a leakage test, he has the kit but no definitive instructions ...so, how many psi should I put in and what sort of leakage is normal and acceptable?

[ridds]

Carry out when the engine is at operating tempearture.

Check each cylinder at TDC (use a long cable tie or similar).

Dial the tester in to 100% leakage when the adapter is not connected to the engine.

[cerby6pot]

cheers

[350matt]

when you've got the airline attached and you're turning it over by hand you just keep cranking until you see the lowest figure on the gauge, in theory you only need a few Psi and any more than that and you'll find it difficult to turn as you'll be fighting the air pressure.

I would expect to see figures of around 2-4% on a healthy road engine hopefully even less

race engines with slack pistons can still be OK at 5-10%

Matt

[ridds]

350matt said:

when you've got the airline attached and you're turning it over by hand you just keep cranking until you see the lowest figure on the gauge, in theory you only need a few Psi and any more than that and you'll find it difficult to turn as you'll be fighting the air pressure.

I would expect to see figures of around 2-4% on a healthy road engine hopefully even less

race engines with slack pistons can still be OK at 5-10%

Matt

Be careful the engine doesn't spin round and take your arm off.