kommon_sense
11-29-2005, 03:59 PM
I originally posted this here : http://www.superhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257985
This is a general howto on performing a leakdown test. A leakdown test basically tells you how well sealed your combustion chamber is and give you more information about the general health of your engine than a compression check will. A leakdown test will help you pinpoint if you have a bent valve, bad ring seal, bad valve adjustment, scratched/scored cylinder wall, etc.
Time involved : ~1hr
Tools Required :
- leakdown tester
- air compressor
- 10mm socket
- spark plug socket
- 18mm socket
- 12" extension
- ratchet
- floor jack
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that the car is properly warmed up. It is best do go for a little trip around the freeway, and come back home
1 - You can see in this first pic that I have already pulled all of the spark plug wires and removed the spark plugs. You can also see that I have the distributor disconnected. No need to do that. This picture is actually from when I did my compression check. You will notice that the cam gear cover is still on.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_0.jpg
2 - The next step is to remove the cam gear cover. If you have not already modified your cam gear cover, then you have to remove the entire valve cover to gain access to the cam gear. If you have to remove the valve cover, then it would be a good time to replace the valve cover gasket and you will need some hondabond/sealant to reseal the gasket when you re-install.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_1.jpg
3 - Jack the car up and remove the driver's side front wheel. This will give you access to the crank pulley bolt. You can see that I've already got the 18mm socket, extension and ratchet in place. You have to turn this counter-clockwise in order to turn the cam gear.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_2.jpg
4 - Here is a picture of the leakdown tester. You will notice 2 gauges. The gauge on the left tells you how much pressure is coming from the air compressor, and the gauge on the right tells you how much is coming from the engine/cylinder. The big yellow knob is a regulator so that you can control how much air is coming from the compressor. My compressor also has a built in regulator.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_9.jpg
This is a general howto on performing a leakdown test. A leakdown test basically tells you how well sealed your combustion chamber is and give you more information about the general health of your engine than a compression check will. A leakdown test will help you pinpoint if you have a bent valve, bad ring seal, bad valve adjustment, scratched/scored cylinder wall, etc.
Time involved : ~1hr
Tools Required :
- leakdown tester
- air compressor
- 10mm socket
- spark plug socket
- 18mm socket
- 12" extension
- ratchet
- floor jack
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that the car is properly warmed up. It is best do go for a little trip around the freeway, and come back home
1 - You can see in this first pic that I have already pulled all of the spark plug wires and removed the spark plugs. You can also see that I have the distributor disconnected. No need to do that. This picture is actually from when I did my compression check. You will notice that the cam gear cover is still on.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_0.jpg
2 - The next step is to remove the cam gear cover. If you have not already modified your cam gear cover, then you have to remove the entire valve cover to gain access to the cam gear. If you have to remove the valve cover, then it would be a good time to replace the valve cover gasket and you will need some hondabond/sealant to reseal the gasket when you re-install.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_1.jpg
3 - Jack the car up and remove the driver's side front wheel. This will give you access to the crank pulley bolt. You can see that I've already got the 18mm socket, extension and ratchet in place. You have to turn this counter-clockwise in order to turn the cam gear.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_2.jpg
4 - Here is a picture of the leakdown tester. You will notice 2 gauges. The gauge on the left tells you how much pressure is coming from the air compressor, and the gauge on the right tells you how much is coming from the engine/cylinder. The big yellow knob is a regulator so that you can control how much air is coming from the compressor. My compressor also has a built in regulator.
http://www.superhonda.com/photopost/data/501/Kommon_Civic_Leakdown_9.jpg