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Date:         Mon, 1 Oct 2001 18:23:23 EDT
Reply-To:     VW85Westy@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Peter Krogh <VW85Westy@AOL.COM>
Subject:      How to compression test/gasket leak test
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Well, after the cooling system R&R and ignition system work, it looks like I do indeed have a head gasket (or more likely O ring) leak, blowing air into the cooling system.

I am getting air constantly entering the cooling system on my 5500 mile rebuild. I have tried bleeding the system but air returns. I had the heads re-torqued about 700 miles ago, and that seemed to help it for a while, but it is back, bigger than ever.

Only one of the heads was re-torqued, the bolts on the driver side would not move, so I am pretty sure the leak is on the passenger side. I would like to get as much of this figured out before I approach the shop who installed the engine.

Can I use a compression test/leakdown test to figure out which cylinder(s) is leaking, or is likely to be leaking? Is this a matter of buying a cheap pressure guage and attaching it onto the spark plug threads? Is there any advantage to having an experienced shop do the test?

How do I do a compression test? hook up guage and hand-turn engine? Is a leakdown test just timing how long it takes for the pressure to leak out?

thanks for all your help. Peter & Zippy


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