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> Harbor Freight Leakdown tester, How does it work, or is mine just FUBAR?
VaccaRabite
post Mar 15 2008, 09:51 PM
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So I took out the new HF leak tester to play with it.

I just put on the 3/4 bank of pistons/cylinder and torqued down the head. Get N03 to TDC. Pull the tester out of the box, and the leak gauge is showing about 40% leak before I even plug it in.

OKay, so I read the instructions, as this looks like it works differently from the last tester that I used.

Directions say to hook it up to the engine. Then depresurize the regulator until the leak dial hits zero. Then it should give me a percentage loss.

Huh? There has to be somehting else I do to show the percentage loss. I have not changed the tool from setting it to zero.

Tool 1, Zach 0
Someone that has used one of these things please pipe in. What am I not doing.

Zach
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SLITS
post Mar 15 2008, 11:26 PM
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As I remember, you set it to zero before hooking it to the cylinder. If you are using 100 psi feed, you will see about 15 on the guage when it is "zeroed". Then you plug it in to the engine and it will read leakdown as a percentage.

Before you disconnect from the engine, bleed the air pressure down with the regulator on the leakdown tester. If you don't the needle will slam into the stop and beome permantely set at 45% (unpressurized) which may have already happened. After I discovered this, I bought a new one and returned the old one.

Hey, it's just numbers .... a cheap tool ..... all the engines I have tested (most not run in a long time) run between 25% to 35% leakdown. One of the days I may try it on an engine that has been run recently.
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sww914
post Mar 16 2008, 12:01 AM
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I had the same one and I had the same results as SLITS, 35% - 40% leakdown on an engine with a fresh valve job and new rings. I kind of treated it like a compression test, relative numbers not absolute numbers. I got a better one for 3X the money.
Yes, set it to zero before you hook it up to the engine.
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Gint
post Mar 16 2008, 08:06 AM
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I haven't tried their leak down tester. I did have similar results with their compression tester. They're both in the total junk HF tool category.
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VaccaRabite
post Mar 16 2008, 08:11 AM
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QUOTE(SLITS @ Mar 16 2008, 01:26 AM) *


Before you disconnect from the engine, bleed the air pressure down with the regulator on the leakdown tester. If you don't the needle will slam into the stop and beome permantely set at 45% (unpressurized) which may have already happened. After I discovered this, I bought a new one and returned the old one.



I think that is exactly what happened to mine. I have a feeling I got one that had been returned.

Zach
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VaccaRabite
post Mar 16 2008, 02:14 PM
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I took it back.

What should I look for in leak down tester?

Zach
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scotty b
post Mar 16 2008, 02:44 PM
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IMO Harbor Frieight is in the total junk catagory as a whole. NEVER trust anything mechanical to cheapo tools. Zach I bought this one. It isn't a Strap On but it works well and costs about 1/3 what a strap on will.




http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Dual-Ga...sspagenameZWDVW
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biosurfer1
post Mar 16 2008, 02:58 PM
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I wouldn't trust anything important to a HF tool, but as far as simple/disposable tools, HF can't be beat.

Just last week I got a hammer, 3 paint brushes, 5 wire brushes, a mini screw driver set, clamps and bungie cords for less than $7. Couldnt beat that anywhere and I don't see how any of them could fail, and if they do, oh well.
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VaccaRabite
post Mar 16 2008, 06:00 PM
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QUOTE(scotty b @ Mar 16 2008, 04:44 PM) *

IMO Harbor Frieight is in the total junk catagory as a whole. NEVER trust anything mechanical to cheapo tools. Zach I bought this one. It isn't a Strap On but it works well and costs about 1/3 what a strap on will.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Dual-Ga...sspagenameZWDVW


Cool, bought one.

Zach
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Dr Evil
post Mar 16 2008, 06:56 PM
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I needed my dial gauge today (that I let you use and you still have, Zach) and figured I would go to HF and see what they had. $7 and it was perfect (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You just got to be wary. I like that they take things back pretty easily.

Zach, the engine should be ready to go in next weekend. Are you free Sun?
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VaccaRabite
post Mar 16 2008, 08:14 PM
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QUOTE(Dr Evil @ Mar 16 2008, 08:56 PM) *

Zach, the engine should be ready to go in next weekend. Are you free Sun?


Probably.

Erin decided that the nursery needed to be repainted. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) At least she made this choice now, and not the week before she popped. I move furniture in on the 29th, so the paint has to be done by then.

Oh, and it is Easter, and I might be pulled away for familial obligations.

Sunday morning would be way easier to lock in then Sunday afternoon.

On the other hand, it is Easter. Which means I have 4 days off. Which means I should be able to get free and come up to help sometime between Friday and Monday.

Zach
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Dr Evil
post Mar 17 2008, 03:28 AM
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Oh ya, Easter (duh). I am also freeish on Sat after about 12. I think I have to round in the AM on my patients.

Repainting the nursery? dang....(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
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plas76targa
post Mar 17 2008, 07:18 AM
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Mike, PM me if you end up doing this on Saturday. I'll try to come up - but need to check wif da boss 1st. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
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VaccaRabite
post Mar 19 2008, 09:38 PM
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Well the leakdown tester that I got from Ebay showed up today.
The guy must have put that sucker in the mail the same instant that I ordered it. Its a really nice kit, I can't wait to use it.


Zach
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Dr Evil
post Mar 22 2008, 04:14 PM
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QUOTE(plas76targa @ Mar 17 2008, 09:18 AM) *

Mike, PM me if you end up doing this on Saturday. I'll try to come up - but need to check wif da boss 1st. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)


Sorry man, Zach just told me about your reply. I did not get a notice of it in my email. We finished and he has left, but I may be able to use you for something in the near future. PM coming.
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plas76targa
post Mar 22 2008, 05:22 PM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) No problem. We did some family stuff today and the kids and I watched NCAA basketball. Next Sat is AutoX school and I'm hoping K will go with me. Lemme know what yer thinking.

QUOTE(Dr Evil @ Mar 22 2008, 02:14 PM) *

QUOTE(plas76targa @ Mar 17 2008, 09:18 AM) *

Mike, PM me if you end up doing this on Saturday. I'll try to come up - but need to check wif da boss 1st. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)


Sorry man, Zach just told me about your reply. I did not get a notice of it in my email. We finished and he has left, but I may be able to use you for something in the near future. PM coming.
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LS6/914
post Mar 22 2008, 08:16 PM
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Dont forget to lock the flywheel in TDC as the air pressure will usually counter rotate the piston giving a false reading (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) Larry
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