Leak-down testing on the cheap

[Feersum Injun]

I struggled with the inner tube method, I think I just had the wrong size! It would always leak at the carb manifold. Here's the kit I rustled up on ebay for about £15 and it works a treat. Sticky is right about using the blood pressure bulb and gauge. It measures up to 300mmHG which is about 6lb/in2. I used 32mm and 42mm plumbing blanks to fit over the manifold and exhaust stub with air fittings going through the one onto the carb manifold.

[Storkfoot]

I struggled with the inner tube method, I think I just had the wrong size! It would always leak at the carb manifold. Here's the kit I rustled up on ebay for about £15 and it works a treat. Sticky is right about using the blood pressure bulb and gauge. It measures up to 300mmHG which is about 6lb/in2. I used 32mm and 42mm plumbing blanks to fit over the manifold and exhaust stub with air fittings going through the one onto the carb manifold.

I am building my own kit. I have the blanking plug for the exhaust manifold and a bung seal with valve for the carb manifold.

I have no "Aneroid Sphygmomanometer" which is the blood pressure monitor. I want to use the hand pump type with a gauge.

Can anyone who has built a similar kit, point me in the right direction as to which one will work as there are loads on ebay that come complete with a stethoscope?

For example _ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KIT-Blood-Pre ... SwDNdVwY9z

[Vmakgp]

Same here stork foot that's a great kit will need one myself by end a next week anyone got a link for the above kit ??

[Feersum Injun]

That's the one you need. If you look in my first photo I used the the 'y' piece off the stethoscope to the gauge and pump with the longer piece going down to the manifold bung. Use hot water on the rubber tube, it helps getting on and off the fitting ends. I can post my ebay shopping list if you need?

[Storkfoot]

That's fine. Thanks for the replies.

[Vmakgp]

That's the one you need. If you look in my first photo I used the the 'y' piece off the stethoscope to the gauge and pump with the longer piece going down to the manifold bung. Use hot water on the rubber tube, it helps getting on and off the fitting ends. I can post my ebay shopping list if you need?

Any chance of that eBay shopping link Feersum Indian ??

[Feersum Injun]

That's the one you need. If you look in my first photo I used the the 'y' piece off the stethoscope to the gauge and pump with the longer piece going down to the manifold bung. Use hot water on the rubber tube, it helps getting on and off the fitting ends. I can post my ebay shopping list if you need?

Any chance of that eBay shopping link Feersum Indian ??

Yes, no problem. I'll post them up later...

[Feersum Injun]

List of items:
Blood pressure kit -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sphygmomanometer-Stethoscope-Kit-Manual-Blood-Pressure-Cuff-Medical-Monitor-Dial-/181741792313?hash=item2a50a7ac39:g:j1wAAOSwEeFVUFIF
Plumbing blanks -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flexible-End-Caps-Rubber-Stop-Ends-Blanks-For-Pipe-Drainage-Pumps-Ponds-/111998350013?var=&hash=item1a139f32bd:m:maPvRuud7z3BSncTN-ed-mw
Male airline fitting -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351305551087
Female airline fitting -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351305551087

[Vmakgp]

List of items:
Blood pressure kit -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sphygmomanometer-Stethoscope-Kit-Manual-Blood-Pressure-Cuff-Medical-Monitor-Dial-/181741792313?hash=item2a50a7ac39:g:j1wAAOSwEeFVUFIF
Plumbing blanks -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flexible-End-Caps-Rubber-Stop-Ends-Blanks-For-Pipe-Drainage-Pumps-Ponds-/111998350013?var=&hash=item1a139f32bd:m:maPvRuud7z3BSncTN-ed-mw
Male airline fitting -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351305551087
Female airline fitting -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351305551087

Thanks fella 'that's great .

[Feersum Injun]

Just to clarify, you need the 60064 1/4" BSP Male and the 53003 1/4" BSP Female air fittings from the drop down menu...

[Vmakgp]

Just to clarify, you need the 60064 1/4" BSP Male and the 53003 1/4" BSP Female air fittings from the drop down menu...

Ordered all the above thanks Feersum injun ,

[Storkfoot]

I am impressed and curious at my first attempts at a leak down test. Impressed as I instantly found a leak at the inlet manifold which, otherwise, I would have been blissfully unaware of.

I am curious though. I fixed the leak and then did the test again. There was a very slow leak. I left it overnight and checked in the morning. No pressure left. I then did the test again and no pressure loss. I didn't put any sealant on which had cured. Still puzzled about why it was leaking one day and fine the next?

Anyway, as others have said before, I just wanted to say that this is a very worthwhile and pretty simple test when you are building an engine.

[HxPaul]

I am impressed and curious at my first attempts at a leak down test. Impressed as I instantly found a leak at the inlet manifold which, otherwise, I would have been blissfully unaware of.

I am curious though. I fixed the leak and then did the test again. There was a very slow leak. I left it overnight and checked in the morning. No pressure left. I then did the test again and no pressure loss. I didn't put any sealant on which had cured. Still puzzled about why it was leaking one day and fine the next?

Anyway, as others have said before, I just wanted to say that this is a very worthwhile and pretty simple test when you are building an engine.

Check all the joints on the leak down apparatus,I have a different leakdown tester which utilises an ordinary foot pump,mine leaked from the footpump,I disconnected it and left it overnight,it lost no more air.

[Strummer10]

Essentially then (sorry just to be clear) you need to buy the different kits above on ebay and make up the leak down test ? Does anyone know if a video of the test is located anyone, a step by step guide maybe ?

[Gary les]

Feersum injun are the end caps 32/40 what you ordered as in pic shows 34/42 cheers

[Feersum Injun]

Just checked my order and I did order the 40 / 32 caps and the ones I received where 42mm and 34mm as you can see on my photo. But as it states they are to 'fit pipe size' so they must add a couple of millimetres on. They fit perfectly on my MB manifold and exhaust pipe.

[Gary les]

Cheers feersum

[Vmakgp]

Just checked my order and I did order the 40 / 32 caps and the ones I received where 42mm and 34mm as you can see on my photo. But as it states they are to 'fit pipe size' so they must add a couple of millimetres on. They fit perfectly on my MB manifold and exhaust pipe.

Just finished my pressure test with the kit Feersum Indian brilliant bit of kit ,
Only leek I had was on the old manifold pipe wich was a bit pitted so just put a bit of gaskit seal on first before putting the Bung on , I also put a big washer Eather side of the brass air hose fitting again with sealant just to make sure I had a good seal .
Thanks once again Feersum

[Feersum Injun]

Sharing is caring! That's a good tip about the washers, I'll add them myself!

[Phil D]

Hi could'nt help noticing on pic 3 your engine mounting nut seems very loose . regards Phil.