Advanced Tech Advanced tech discussion. Major rebuilds, engine theory, etc.
HIGH-END DISCUSSION ONLY - NOT FOR GENERAL TECH INFO

Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2006 | 08:06 PM
  #1  
wicked_95z's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,469
From: J-ville,NC
Need opinoins on leakdown test results

A little info. The car is a 95 383 procharged LT1 running about 10 lbs so far with methanol. The reason I started this check was I am loosing coolant. I have looked for leaks and havent found any. No coolant in the oil. I think I may be burning it off, however none of the plugs are really clean. 6 are a tanish color and two are black. Im pretty sure due to spark plug wires arcing as I have had a problem with those plugs before. And for the results:

Cylinder
1 13%
3 6%
5 5%
7 13%

2 8%
4 3%
6 5%
8 10%

What do you guys think??
Old Jul 12, 2006 | 04:45 AM
  #2  
jonathan_abilene's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 302
From: hell, Tx. USA
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

where did you get yours? how much?
It looks like 1,7,and 8 are loosing compression.
but I havent used a tester before.
Did it not come with instructions?
It'll tell you whats wrong like: bad rings, bad valves, bad head gasket
Old Jul 12, 2006 | 09:57 AM
  #3  
1racerdude's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,661
From: LA (lower Alabama)
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Originally Posted by wicked_95z
A little info. The car is a 95 383 procharged LT1 running about 10 lbs so far with methanol. The reason I started this check was I am loosing coolant. I have looked for leaks and havent found any. No coolant in the oil. I think I may be burning it off, however none of the plugs are really clean. 6 are a tanish color and two are black. Im pretty sure due to spark plug wires arcing as I have had a problem with those plugs before. And for the results:

Cylinder
1 13%
3 6%
5 5%
7 13%

2 8%
4 3%
6 5%
8 10%

What do you guys think??

Anything over 10% is rebuild time. If ya got molly rings there is your answer.
If ya rebuild go with a set of plain ductile iron rings or gapless top ring with NO moly, for the blower.
Old Jul 12, 2006 | 12:13 PM
  #4  
wicked_95z's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,469
From: J-ville,NC
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Well the car has hit 220-230 degress because I forgot to turn the waterpump on so I was thinking head gasket at the wrost. The motor is built for the blower and only has a few thousand miles on it
Old Jul 12, 2006 | 12:25 PM
  #5  
1racerdude's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,661
From: LA (lower Alabama)
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Originally Posted by wicked_95z
Well the car has hit 220-230 degress because I forgot to turn the waterpump on so I was thinking head gasket at the wrost. The motor is built for the blower and only has a few thousand miles on it

If ya got molly rings they won't last very long period. They don't LIKE boost.
Why ya think ya got 10+% leak when 220 is NOT hot for these cars. That's too hot IMO but shouldn't HURT parts.

Last edited by 1racerdude; Jul 12, 2006 at 02:17 PM.
Old Jul 12, 2006 | 09:44 PM
  #6  
jonathan_abilene's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 302
From: hell, Tx. USA
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

So where is that 10% and 13%s leaking to? head gaskets? rings? or valves?

I hear that steel is the best kind of compression ring... I have them, from Total Seal
Old Jul 13, 2006 | 04:27 AM
  #7  
SABLT194's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 766
From: GARDNERS,PA
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

In my experience you have to be very carefull with leakdown tests. The technique is everything. For example, I found that I got substantialy different leakdown results depending on weather I positioned the piston on the upstroke or the down stroke. Positioning the piston in preparation for the test on the up stroke seems to seat the rings in the piston grooves better and gives a better leakdown number. I always make sure I come to close TDC on the piston upstroke, then lock the crank down so there can be no piston motion when the leakdown pressure is applied. A uniform test procedure on a cylinders must be used. Varying test procedures have yielded up to 25 psi difference in leakdown results on a given cylinder for me. Any of you big guys seen similar results? Again this is just my experience.

Steve
Old Jul 13, 2006 | 02:15 PM
  #8  
1racerdude's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,661
From: LA (lower Alabama)
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Originally Posted by SABLT194
In my experience you have to be very carefull with leakdown tests. The technique is everything. For example, I found that I got substantialy different leakdown results depending on weather I positioned the piston on the upstroke or the down stroke. Positioning the piston in preparation for the test on the up stroke seems to seat the rings in the piston grooves better and gives a better leakdown number. I always make sure I come to close TDC on the piston upstroke, then lock the crank down so there can be no piston motion when the leakdown pressure is applied. A uniform test procedure on a cylinders must be used. Varying test procedures have yielded up to 25 psi difference in leakdown results on a given cylinder for me. Any of you big guys seen similar results? Again this is just my experience.

Steve

Well that's a given.
If ANY test is not done right it will not be valid.

Yes the piston should be at TDC.
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 03:24 AM
  #9  
WS6 TA's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 520
From: MD
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Um, at TDC both valves should be open and you’ll read 100% leakdown.
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 03:34 AM
  #10  
1racerdude's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,661
From: LA (lower Alabama)
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Originally Posted by WS6 TA
Um, at TDC both valves should be open and you’ll read 100% leakdown.

Don't think so. Not on the firing stroke.

Last edited by 1racerdude; Aug 2, 2006 at 03:37 AM.
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 03:42 AM
  #11  
rskrause's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 10,745
From: Buffalo, New York
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

All of the valves better be closed at TDC on the compression stroke!!! For those who need a little primer, you can look here http://www.compcams.com/Technical/TimingTutorial/

This drawing may help. The first frame represents where you are measuring leakdown.

Rich
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 07:21 AM
  #12  
wicked_95z's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,469
From: J-ville,NC
Re: Need opinoins on leakdown test results

Originally Posted by WS6 TA
Um, at TDC both valves should be open and you’ll read 100% leakdown.
On the exhaust stroke, yes. Not on the compression stroke.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KYWes
LT1 Based Engine Tech
8
Jun 14, 2022 06:52 AM
PFYC
Supporting Vendor Group Purchases and Sales
0
Aug 17, 2015 09:50 AM
karpetcm
Parts For Sale
5
Aug 14, 2015 03:02 PM
FredM
LT1 Based Engine Tech
1
Aug 14, 2015 01:49 PM
Boss002
Autocross and Road Racing Technique
2
Jul 24, 2015 10:47 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:28 PM.