sources for leakdown test tools?

[Josh]

Can anyone recommend a source for the tooling necessary to do a leakdown test on the IDI 1.6's??  

I know only of one outfit, and given their poor service in the past, I'm wary of dealing with them unless absolutely necessary.  My web searches aren't finding anything!  

 -Josh

[VWRacer]

You live in Chicago and there is only one place that can do a leak down test?

Dude...open the yellow pages!  :wink:

To buy one try Jegs, Summit or Aircraft Spruce. All have websites.

[Josh]

To be clear, my intention is to purchase the tools.  I don't let other people service my vehicles.  Thanks!

[VWRacer]

Oh...okay. You had me worried there, Josh!  :wink:

I bought mine from Aircraft Spruce years ago, but other folks sell them. I modified mine to have quick disconnects (as it came with a super-large a/c plug size) for both the air input side and the plug size. That way I can fit it to any engine from lawn mowers to diesels to large displacement radial a/c engines. I most recently used it on my '68 BMW R60 motorcycle. Still has 98/100 (2% leak down) on both cylinders after 37k miles.  

[Josh]

Wow, that's decent!  

  Is that what the second guage is on these dual guage leakdown testers?  Just a different display, showing percentage of leaking?  Or is that second guage for something else?  

  I figure the single guage testers are just a psi display, and you put into the cylinder a pre-described amount, and then see if it'll hold that pressure for a given amount of time.  

  What IS that second guage about?  

   -Josh

[fspGTD]

This is a great informative site on building your own leakdown tester (also helpful for understanding how they are constructed, and how they work):
http://www.xs11.com/tips/misc/misc3.shtml

I'd imagine a second gauge would be installed at the pressure regulator outlet (and before the restriction orifice).  It would allow you to make sure that the air pressure regulator was working to maintain output pressure fixed at 100 psi under varying flow conditions.

[Josh]

http://vmaxoutlaw.com/tech/leakdown_tester.htm

  This link is a more complete version of the above referenced link; this includes a printable guage face you can use to replace the stock face.  

  Thanks for the original link; it should provide for the saving of a bit of cash!
   
  -Josh

[Josh]

Hmmm, now, should a leakdown tester fit up to the head via the injectors, or the glow plug holes??

  This should be my last question on this front.  

   -Josh

[Master ACiD]

i would say if at all possible try to do it via glow plugs for the simple reason of saving $6 in heat shields. . this is of course assuming you can remove the glowplugs without messing with the injectors, lines, or pump.

[fspGTD]

I just built a leakdown tester using these instructions as a guide!

I opted to add a second gauge so I can monitor pressure right after the pressure regulator.  Sure enough, with even a little bit of flow, the regulator drops pressure somewhat.  I think the second gauge is a good addition to the leak down tester.

To make the orifice in the leak down tester, I put some heat into a 1/4" union with oxy-acetylene torch and filled up the hole partially with a plug of plumber's solder.  Then I drilled through the solder plug with a #60 (.040") drill bit to make the orifice.

To hook up the leakdown tester to a VW IDI diesel, I gutted an old diesel injector by removing the spring, spring seat, and pintle.  I drilled out the nozzle hole larger, and I cut off the top end of the injector and tapped the spring hole for a quick disconnect fitting.  The hole was a perfect size for 1/4"NPT.  Then I heated up the sawed-off upper body with an oxy-acetylene torch and soldered the long skinny hole in it shut.  After assembling it I pressure tested it, and found no leaks.

Looking forward to trying this out (along with my new air compressor) on my GTD autocrosser!

[Master ACiD]

let us know how it goes!

[fspGTD]

1st time using my leakdown tester:

http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=406&start=94