Sunday, December 1, 2013
What Is a Cylinder Head Gasket Leak Test
A head gasket creates the seal between the engine block and head. A cylinder head gasket leak test is a method of determining if the head gasket has failed without removing the head and visually inspecting the gasket.
Method
A cylinder leakage tester and air compressor are required to perform a cylinder leak test. A threaded insert is attached to the spark plug hole and an air gauge, then air is pumped via the compressor into the cylinde. A cylinder leak is determined by monitoring the gauge for pressure loss.
Locating the Leak
There may be various causes for a cylinder pressure leak. During the test, listen and feel for the escaping air to determine the source. Air gurgling through the radiator is the typical sign of head gasket failure. However, a cracked head may also cause air leaks into the radiator.
Alternatives
In addition to the cylinder leak test, there are other methods of testing for a defective head gasket. The cooling system can be pressure checked using a cooling system pressure tester. A block checker is another device that can test the head gasket. The block checker reacts to exhaust gases in the cooling system which indicates a leak.
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