Where Can I Get A Leak Down Test In Surrey?

[SweetBadger 94]

Un-bloody believeable! Felt my MI was down on power since it was stored for a year while I was travelling, didn't make the same speeds down the straight at Bedford and has not felt as reponsive.

 

Did a compression test yesterday:

 

Cyl1 - 210psi

 

Cyl2 - 160psi, 170psi with oil down the bore

 

Cyl3 - 160psi, 175psi with oil down the bore

 

Cyl4 - 210psi

 

Arses!

 

I rebuilt it with about 20k ago with new liners and rings, it doesn't use any oil and still runs very smoothly even now. When first rebuilt compression was over 210psi on all cylinders...

 

I bought a head off fleabay when I buggered up the original head from getting gravel in the cambelt after coming off track at brands. Didn't have time to skim it so just did the stem seals, lapped the valves fitted it and hoped for the best. To be honest whoever had 'reconditioned' it had done a s*ite job anyway as the lifter bores were scored to buggery, however compression was good after fitting it and it runs quietly.

 

I suspect that the gasket hasn't sealed properly between 2 & 3, but I want to make sure it's not the rings after having sat for a year. Don't want to replace the head (again ) to find the rings weren't sealing...

 

So is there anyone near me with a compressor and a spark plug adapter willing to spare a few mins for some beer tokens. Failing that anyone have a reccomendation for a decent garage in South London/Surrey who'll be able to do a leak down test for me?

 

Thanks, Alex.

[Richie-Van-GTi 72 2 Cars]

cant help but think whatever the outcome the head needs to come off and with results like those its 99.9% head gasket failure. Why bother with a leakdown. Just get the head off, have it skimmed and inspect the rings/bores at the same time.

[SweetBadger 94]

cant help but think whatever the outcome the head needs to come off and with results like those its 99.9% head gasket failure. Why bother with a leakdown. Just get the head off, have it skimmed and inspect the rings/bores at the same time.

 

Yep, I aggree the head'll definately have to come off and like you say the results point quite clearly to HG problem, I'll probably get another head and get it skimmed and checked out by qep then I can just swap it over, and the car won't be off the road.

 

Just wanted to be absolutely sure - don't want to do all the work of fitting a new head with the cost of new gasket/headbolts if there's a problem elsewhere...