Cylinder Leakage Detection

Cylinder Leakage Detection

WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure, REFER to Safety Warnings . Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Component Test

1. When a cylinder produces a low reading, use of a cylinder leakage tester will be helpful in pinpointing the exact cause. Carry out the following steps for cylinder leakage detection.

2. The leakage tester is inserted in the spark plug hole, the piston is brought up to TDC (Top Dead Center) on the compression stroke, and compressed air is admitted.

3. Once the combustion chamber is pressurized, the leakage tester gauge will read the percentage of leakage. Leakage exceeding 20% is excessive.

4. While the air pressure is retained in the cylinder, listen for the hiss of escaping air. A leak at the intake valve will be heard in the TB (Throttle Body). A leak at the exhaust valve can be heard at the tailpipe. Leakage past the piston rings will be audible at the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) connection. If air is passing through a blown head gasket to an adjacent cylinder, the noise will be evident at the spark plug hole of the cylinder into which the air is leaking. Cracks in the cylinder block or gasket leakage into the cooling system may be detected by a stream of bubbles in the radiator.