Leakdown Test - Hose Substitution

[blackbmwk1200r]

I recently purchased a Longacre 2 guage leak down tester only to find out that my hose selection was incorrect and it does not fit the spark plug hole.

I have available another hose assembly that came with a single guage leak down tester that fits the spark plug hole and am considering using this subject to input from the forum on whether this could affect the accuracy of my readings.

The Longacre 2 guage hose assembly at its narrowest (threaded spark plug adapter) is about 3/16" diameter and the single guage hose assembly at its narrowest (same location) is about 7/64".

Thoughts?

[killerken53]

Pressure is pressure in this application. The tester will work with any displacement engine, so the volume of the hose makes no difference.

Ken Hoovler
PE

[Daryl DeArman]

Not a large enough difference to make any difference.

Hose size would only become an issue if it was so small as to be unable to flow as much air as the cylinder is leaking. In that case the gauge would show less leakage than actual.

Most leak down testers for automotive use, have a .040" orifice. The size of the orifice is important if you are testing a Wartsila engine or a Briggs & Stratton....not so much for those of us with an engine somewhere between the two.

[blackbmwk1200r]

Thank you; I appreciate the help.