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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

homemade leak down tester

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EIL

12-21-2003 02:49:29




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I just had the thought run across my mind and I was wondering if anybody thought it would work. I thought of taking an old spark plug and gutting it out so all that is left is the metal threads with the nut and brazing it to an air valve similar to what if found on a tire and using this "tool" to leak down test a cylinder on a tractor or small engine. I figure since it would be a tire-like air valve that I could take a tire chuck and pressure the cylinder up to about 15 or 20 psi, and I could also moniter the air pressure with a tire guage. This set up would sure beat an expensive or used leak down tester. Of coare a leak down test is only good if you do it after a compression test, but would this do the job? It sure would come in handy one day since I will work at a tractor dealership in a few months. Also, what type of threads are on a spark plug? I heard that some are 14 or 18 mm pipe thread, is this true? Thanks for the help!!!!! !

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EIL

12-22-2003 16:28:55




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 Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-21-2003 02:49:29  
The air fitting that I would be using is threaded to 1/8" pipe thread. I could hopefully thread it into an adaptor to bring it up to 1/4" pipe thread and thread that into the gutted spark plug. If need be, then I would braze everything together.



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Van

12-23-2003 05:37:29




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 Re: Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-22-2003 16:28:55  
A set of the adapters without the air nipple is available from KD tools at the auto parts store for around $8.00. Already threaded for the air connector, and rust free blued. Just need some various fittings, a regulator and a couple of air valves and you are in business.



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Richard Fazio

12-22-2003 05:51:19




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 Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-21-2003 02:49:29  
I like your idea. I'm going to make myself one for each size plug I use. I like the idea of using a regular pressure gauge, a fitting to plug in shop air and a valve. Still a cheap thing to make.



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Ray

12-21-2003 12:07:22




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 Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-21-2003 02:49:29  
These adaptors are or used to be available from most tool dealers, I used one all the time to hold the valves up to remove the valve springs to replace seals, springs, etc. Years ago I bought a compression tester from snap on that came with an assortment of sizes and the guage just coupled on the end of the hose like any regular air fitting.



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Ben in KY

12-21-2003 19:18:43




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 Re: Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to Ray, 12-21-2003 12:07:22  
Ray,
My brother has a Snap set like that, very nice. Not cheap though. Of course I have the best of both worlds. A nice set for me to use and he paid for them :)



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Joe (Wa)

12-21-2003 10:44:54




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 Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-21-2003 02:49:29  
If you knock the porcelin insulater out of an 18 mm spark plug, the bore can be threaded 1/4" npt. No drilling or brazing required. Don't know about the 14 mm plug. Joe



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RJ-AZ

12-21-2003 07:02:59




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 Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-21-2003 02:49:29  
I knocked the porcelin insulater out of a spark plug and brazed in a pipe fitting and use an air regulator and pressure gauge. I use this setup for checking for leak down as well as changing valve guide seals or valve springs.



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tiny

12-21-2003 04:54:18




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 Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-21-2003 02:49:29  
Instead of checking with a tire gauge why not put a pressure gauge on it then you could see how much pressure is ther with out losing any with the tire gauge.



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moonlite

12-21-2003 03:28:28




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 Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to EIL, 12-21-2003 02:49:29  
You should only need to make 2 of them one with 14mm threads and one with 18mm. I welded a 1/4 inch pipe coupling to mine and screwed in a quick coupler end.



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farmered

12-21-2003 03:42:31




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 Re: Re: homemade leak down tester in reply to moonlite, 12-21-2003 03:28:28  
You can buy adapters ready-made at an auto supply store. Ed



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