Ducman82

Harbor F tools has a tester but it only goes to 15psi... WTF??? you cant test with that.... UGH.

depami

You could do it with 15 PSI but it will make locating leakage much more difficult.

Typically you should use at least minimum compression pressure which in our case would be about 70 PSI. Anywhere from 70 to 120 PSI should be plenty adequate.

Ducman82

looking at a reviews trying to find a good one to order. the local shop guy lent his out already and dont know when he will ever see it again .. :-( so looks like i will be buying a tool to use once....

Ducman82

Ordered a tester. should have it friday.

depami

I made one with parts from local store: Spark plug adaptor, Gauge, Ball valve, Fittings & Air hose.

Ducman82

Nice! Going to see if its not to late to cancel that amazon order. I like making things. 100 psi gauge? Wonder if Home Depot would have it

Ducman82

What psi should I max at?

Dave928S

You can achieve the setup that Denny has drawn, and that I've used, as follows.

I just unscrewed the hose from my tyre pressure gauge, and put the spark plug adapter and hose with threaded adapter on in place of it. The tyre pressure gauge gives you the valve and pressure gauge part, as per Dennys diagram, and all you need to do is replace the standard tyre valve hose and adapter with the spark plug one.

To operate you just press the valve to pressurise the cylinder to whatever you have the regulator set at (in my case 100 psi), then let the valve go and time the leak down to 10 psi with a stopwatch.

Tyre pressure gauges like shown are cheap and give you the valve and gauge in one assembly, ready to go.

Ducman82

even better. i need a good tire pressure set up like that anyway. thanks!

and i figure when i find TDC on that cylinder i can just put the car in gear. that will keep it from turning...

Dave928S

Yes ... just make sure you have the E brake on as 100 psi develops a lot of turning force.

Ducman82

where did you pick that one up? all the ones i find like it have the "release" button under the gauge....

depami

You can also use pieces of a compression test kit which you may already have. You'll just need to add in a connection for you compressor and a shut off of some sort.

EDIT: If you happen to have a compression tester with a shrader valve (see last photo) you don't need to add anything.

depami

Here are typical valve spring compressors that are used while the head is still on the block.

Imo000

Shouldn't there be a restrictor nozle between the two gauges? The one I used (home made) had one and there wasn't a need to use a watch.

Ducman82

the home made "dual" with the .040 "dampener" is easy to make as well. i ended up making one with a "air spray" handle withe an on/off and then added a gauge inline then the hose down to the cylinder. but easy enough to adapt a second gauge and add that damper if needed.

not sure how the timing method correlates to percentages tho....