Leakdown result too high?

[87PONYGT]

I did a leakdown on my motor the other day and was kinda surprised at the results.

1. 27% 5. 17%
2. 27% 6. 30%
3. 12% 7. 30%
4. 30% 8. 17%

My test was done on a cold motor which I know will make the numbers lower but I thought these were kinda high even being cold. My short block (363 stroker) was a fresh build and only has 2 maybe 3000km's on it.

Let me know what you guys think.

Lawrence

 

[FISHTAIL]

Where was the leak? Did you listen for where the air was escaping from? Rings or valves? Those numbers all seem high..typically you want numbers below 15%. Are you sure you had a good seal with the tester?

 

[87PONYGT]

Rings. I had one leaky valve so I swapped the heads and it went from 60% down too 30%

 

[FISHTAIL]

Ouch..I guess I'd try testing it warm, see if it gets much better. Make sure you aren't leaking around the O-ring for the tester, I think we've all had that happen.

 

[87PONYGT]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't leaking from the o ring, I tested that cylinder 4 times just to be sure.

 

[mustangmanjeff]

I had almost same results, it was bad rings and bad exaust valves on my heads anything over 15-30% leak is really bad and I had 25-60% leak sucks I feel the pain time for a rebuild!!

 

[87PONYGT]

time for a rebuild!!

Shit this thing only has 3000km on it. If that's the case I'm gonna shit.

 

[FISHTAIL]

Shit this thing only has 3000km on it. If that's the case I'm gonna shit.

Or just live with it for a while. What made you want to do the leakdown in the first place?

 

[65fastback2+2]

20-30% on a cold motor is typically within normal range on any gauge.

 

[FISHTAIL]

20-30% on a cold motor is typically within normal range on any gauge.

I'll take your word for it there, I've never done it on a cold engine before. I was always advised to do it warm. I'd expect the numbers to be higher cold, but that much?

If under 15% is what you want warm, and 20-30% is normal cold, that means the leakage can be up to triple when cold? No offense intended, I'm asking.