If you build engines or if you campaign a race car (or any street-strip car for that matter), a leakdown tester is pretty much a go-to tool.
Why Do a Leakdown Test Instead of a Compression Test?
Simple. There are too many variables involved in a compression test. One good example is engine cranking speed. Too slow and it can have an effect upon the test. Valve lash can have an effect. So can air density. And those are just a few.
When performing a compression test, the idea is to compare the test numbers to a factory specification. If the engine in question is modified (for example, more compression ratio), there is no factory spec to compare it to. Additionally, if a cylinder or two (or all of them) are down, you’ll know there’s a problem. But it becomes a bit more difficult to actually pinpoint that problem.
How to Perform an Engine Leakdown Test
In order to perform a leakdown test, the spark plugs are removed and the engine is rotated so that the cylinder you’re testing is at Top Dead Center. Next, the leakdown tester hose is screwed into the spark plug hole for the test cylinder. Connect the other end of the leakdown test to a compressed air source (typically, 100 or more PSI works). Set the regulator on the leakdown tester to 100 PSI on the first gauge. The second gauge on the leakdown tester indicates the amount of pressure actually in the cylinder. This number is subtracted from the first reading of 100. This allows you to come up with a percentage of leakdown in the cylinder.
Due to the fact the air supply is completely regulated, a leakdown test is much more consistent than a compression test.
It also means the leakdown test can tell you when your high performance engine has said “Enough! It’s time for a rebuild.”
The bellwether is this: With a fresh engine (and with all of the cylinders having close to the same leakdown figures), the engine shouldn’t leak more than 3%. If the engine leaks down 5%, its most likely still healthy. Once it approaches or exceeds 10-15% leakage, it’s time to tear it down.
But That’s Not All A Leakdown Test Can Tell You
You can use a leakdown test to pinpoint other issues. Since a sizeable volume of air is introduced into a cylinder, it obviously has to escape somewhere—even if the amount of leakage is only 3%.
Air leaking from the carburetor or throttle body typically means there’s an intake valve issue. It could be bent or leaking. Air escaping from the exhaust indicates there’s a similar issue with the exhaust valve. If air is leaking from both the carburetor and the exhaust, you have a serious valve issue on both the intake and exhaust (often multiple bent valves).
Air leakage through the carb or throttle body usually takes the form of a whistle. Ditto with air escaping from the exhaust, although headers can change the sound. Air leaking from the oil filler cap (or breathers) indicates bad rings or a damaged piston. This usually sounds like a whistle. Air leaking into the radiator coolant (bubbles) indicates a blown head gasket (or worse—it could indicate a cracked cylinder head or block).
Some Leakdown Tester Basics
As you can see, a leakdown tester can prove to be an extremely versatile tool. There are a ton of different leakdown testers on the market, so we’ll highlight some below and give you the basics of a dual gauge system too. Check it out:
How long should the pressure be observed after the leakage? Does it stabilize after awhile and stop leaking at a lower pressure? So if it goes from 100 psi to say 90 psi does it stay at 90 psi for hours or will it slowly eventually dwindle down to a lower pressure. I can’t find the answer to this question anywhere on the internet. Thanks.
The gauge reads engine condition at time of test, nothing will change unless engine conditions change. It’s a time of test with instant test results.
Hope this helps.
I find most testers from auto parts stores don’t work as described here,but more like the moroso tester. You have to adjust the pressure up or down on the first gauge to zero the percentage on the second gauge. If you set it to 100psi on the first gauge it pegs the second gauge with negative percentage until the needle hits peg. Maybe mine are faulty and I’ve been using them wrong all this time.
[…] short answer is I think a compression test will tell you more than a leakdown test. For those who may not know what a leakdown test is, this involves a tool that pumps air pressure […]
Hi
When doing a leakdown test. If air starts leaking in several locations how can you determine whether most is leaking at rings, or at intake or exhaust. I want to know if rings are bad? I can handle a new head job. I don’t want to rip motor down if rings are shot.
If air is leaking from the intake or exhaust, its a valve. If it leaks from the crankcase, its the rings.If it leaks from the intake/exhaust, and the crankcase, it could be valves and guides, but you’ll probably be having an oil consumption problem as well. Break out the crystal ball!