Cylinder Leakdown Test (Easy 3-Step Method)

Quick and easy THREE-STEP method to perform a leakdown (aka leakage) test on a Subaru. Don’t skip this one guys, this is one of the most important diagnostic tools you’ll ever use on an internal combustion engine! Hope you enjoy - Cheers!!! 🤙
*TOOLS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
✅ LINK TO OTC LEAKDOWN TESTER:
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[@lizdaryl]

Excellent video. One suggestion, just to be safe you should remove your ratchet or break over bar from the crank after you find TDC, and before you pressurize the cylinder. There is always a chance that the piston could be forced down by the pressure and rotate the crank.

[@Primusux]

Good point.

[@ingeniousmechanic]

Or you could forget it altogether. I've heard a horror story from a diesel shop 😢

[@MinisterRedPill]

Perfect video. You didn't leave room for any guess work. That's a nice trick to know in determining how to find TDC. No one else on KZbin mentioned that but you. Now I feel confident in doing this for my 2014 F150 What should you do before removing the hose from the engine?

[@ingeniousmechanic]

Getting ready to order one, but needed a refresher on how to use it lol. Thanks!

[@deadcarz4926]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@SubaruONLY]

Glad it helped!!!

[@user-iu2ce6ld1p]

Great video thank you

[@weldsomemore]

Nice video. Informative and useful. Thanks

[@SubaruONLY]

Nice! Glad it helped buddy, cheers!!!

[@j631366]

Love the content and teaching us the Subaru way 😂😂 . Would you make a video of what tools you use for engine tear down and tools you keep in your shop !!

[@SubaruONLY]

Yes, can do a video on that! stay tuned.

[@wcjcnc]

This is one of the very few videos on KZbin that shows the correct way to do a cylinder leak down test. It’s nice to see a video by someone that knows what they’re doing. So many videos shows ridiculous ways to find TDC when the leak down tester is the best and fastest way to do this. As shown in this video. The only advice I would give is to take the break over handle and socket off the crankshaft bolt. If the engine comes off of TDC it will spin and rotate that break over bar fast and hard.

[@SubaruONLY]

Thanks and GOOD call on the breaker bar. Think it did snap around and almost smack me on that day I shot the video. You’re spot on with that one!!! 👊

[@jaysfasttoys]

Nice work brotha

[@SubaruONLY]

Thanks buddy!!! 👊

[@alyte11]

I like your method of finding TDC. I've had this tester for some time and just found a need to use it. Does it matter how high you set the air source?

[@chris18228]

I was going to buy that leaked down tester, but it’s so cheaply made and too expensive you can buy a $50 one that’s way higher quality and the $50 one even comes with the long tube that reaches down into the spark plug hole so you can actually get a proper seal and not worry about ripping your hose down in there

[@Mike_44]

Luke, I know this is a leak down test, but is it possible to also do a compression test with the bare long block as you hace it here? Or does the motor has to have the intake manifold, turbo, and rest of the parts, attached to the long block before proceeding with the compression test?

[@dj5752]

Nice video. I liked the way you used the OTC tester to find TDC. Do you think I can use it the same way to check for TDC on a small engine? Example: a snowblower engine. Thanks.

[@MyBigThing2010]

If not you can use the tool's hose adaptor screwed into the engine with a small Ballon attached to the end where you would click in the Guages.

[@limamantapachitas]

other way to find TDC is to insert a screw driver into spark plug hole and turn the motor until the screw driver raises to top position at TDC stays there for a little while

[@MagpulWaffleMaker]

Thanks for the video, Luke. Newbie question: Just curious, would it be normal to find a higher leak percentage on an engine that is newly built and never run/broken in? I’m wondering if freshly honed cylinder walls and new piston rings could affect the readings if I the piston has never reciprocated or been through any heat cycles... or would that even make any noticeable difference on the gauge?

[@SubaruONLY]

That’s a great question. Tbh, I haven’t done a leakdown on a fresh ringed engine, it’s always been after break in, if it all. (Which was a mistake, I should’ve leak tested my engines over the years much more than I did, I know better now). To give my best guess, I would say yes it probably would make the leakdown more pronounced and potentially look worse than it will be once the rings have fully seated.

[@cajunaggie9815]

Very informative test when examining a used engine, or just want to find out where you are losing compression on a cylinder. I recommend removing the wrench from the crank bolt before applying pressure to the cylinder, just in case you miss exact top dead center and the piston cycles from the pressure (rotating the crank and the wrench - and possibly striking your hands - ouch - I've seen it). And some leakage past the rings is normal (but you can hear the difference if a piston is blown). Any air leaking from the intake or exhaust areas is not good and mean the heads need rework.

[@3PDL4LIF]

I was going to say the same thing! Great video, but I would make sure to tell people to remove the socket and ratchet from the crankshaft bolt (edit it into your video, for safety reasons) If you are not exactly at top dead center, the piston will push back down when enough pressure is built up in the cylinder and the socket and ratchet will fling around and could possibly injure yourself or someone else.

[@SubaruONLY]

Hahah, YES! Good call! Might swing around and smack you in the head!!! 😳

[@SubaruONLY]

And you’re right, thanks for sharing, only leakage that’s normal for good engine is past the rings. Should be zero past any valve!!! Why didn’t I mention that in the video... oh well, try to get it next time. Good add buddy - thanks!

[@finecrazygunz]

Hello i just got my otc tester from ebay. Its my first time ever doing a leak down but the guage doesnt reach 100. I turn the knob alll the way and it gets to about 80 at most. Ever had this problem? I hope you stay active on your youtube. Thanks

[@Jason9Avila]

What compressor are you using for your leak/compression tests???

[@joeamanfo5970]

Top

[@miriamvivo4279]

Just did a compression and leakdown test on my 98 honda prelude after it was stolen and recovered. All good

[@SubaruONLY]

Nice 👍

[@whoknows1631]

Is this the engine you later found cylinder 2 to have a major leak?

[@Samson-EC]

Are you saying you only have to do one cylinder for the test? Thks..jc

[@Samson-EC]

Why can you not use the timing band and turn crankshaft till dist rotor points to #1 plug and timing is at 0?

[@brenttonbmx]

👍

[@patrickfitzwater5511]

I'm sure it's probably best to use a leak down tester or they wouldn't make it. But can you use a compression tester as well?

[@SubaruONLY]

I use both, but really the leakdown test is the end all be all, that tells the whole story. If you run a compression test, you still could be fucked, run and leakdown and you know you’re good to go!!!

[@norbertramirez7894]

Can this test be a good indicator of performance before reinstalling the engine? (ej25d rebuild) thanks.

[@SubaruONLY]

I would say yes. But I’m no expert. Cheers!!!

[@ItchesIt]

I tried a Harbor Freight one, Lord help me. It had me chasing ghosts all day. I just ordered one a little bit ago.

[@ddanci1973]

Can this tool be used for a 'regular' compression test as well?

[@SubaruONLY]

Yes, I believe so. 👍

[@miltona09]

At 70 to 80 PSI, the air in the cylinder starts to leak past the o-ring on the hose threaded into the spark plug hole. Any thoughts on how to get a better seal at that point?

[@bryce340v8]

I'm no expert, but try putting a little motor oil on the oring to help seal. Otherwise the oring might be too "hard" and need to be replaced.

[@nickmcminn2137]

May mention head gasket as another leak point

[@carlodonnell146]

I wonder if the air has to be turned on when finding TDC; I see that the airline is connected but I don't know if the gauge valve is turned on. I never used the leakdown gauge before, but I ordered an OTC just like that one, just have to learn how to use it.

[@SubaruONLY]

Nice. OTC tools are always legit.

[@carlodonnell146]

@@SubaruONLY thanks for the response but you answered only one of my questions; maybe it is obvious but I don't take anything as obvious when it comes to these technical things the part about the air being on or not can you find TDC with out turning on the air to the tester or does it have to be on , I like to be sure before I start rather than guess. Thank you

[@SubaruONLY]

I don’t normally have the air ON when finding TDC, just watch the small spike in pressure created by the cylinder moving up or down in the cylinder bore 👍

[@carlodonnell146]

@@SubaruONLY Ok Thanks for clearing that up.

[@SubaruONLY]

👊

[@mikimiki195]

Applying that much pressure wouldn’t that over turn your engine???

[@calvinpryor]

look for bubbles in the coolant too?

[@SubaruONLY]

Yes!

[@eddiecortez8320]

Leaks 8 psi not 6 is not 100 mark counted?

[@jerryeastman8393]

This guy failed to tell you to listen for air escaping threw the cooling system meaning threw the radiator or along intake manifold to head mating surfaces this would tell you you have a leak do to a blown head gasket between cylinder and cooling ports in the combustion chamber or possibly a cracked head or engine block

[@antoniolacomba9633]

Should'nt have that rachet on the cranckshaft while pressurizing the cylinder!!!

[@merobot.6275]

YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@tlapaltehuilotlitztli]

Hi I own a 2014 crosstrek that im trying to engine swap it to a ej207 would love to speak with you

[@divebobber]

Don't forget to listen to the adjacent cylinder in case a head gasket is blown between two cylinders