Re: Question on leakdown, etc

[C2slayman@xxxxxxx]

George,
       I didn't see any response to your question on the Digest.  So here's 
my two cents:

> Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 21:45:05 -0700 (PDT)
> From: George Theofanous <gt_theo@domain.elided>
> Subject: Question on leakdown, etc
> 
> Hi everyone - well my 74 GTV is currently hotelling in Santa Barbara
> while I figure out what to do with it. I had my dad take it to be
> checked out there, as I thought with the smoke and oil burning that a
> valve job was in store. It checked out at 160/170/168/160 in

These numbers sound pretty good and (on their own merits) don't call for a 
rebuild.

> compression, and then based on the leakdown, which measured at
> 30%/10%/5%/37%, he recommended a full rebuild rather than just the top.

This can come from both valves as well as rings.  Do you know if the leaks 
were going to crankcase or out the intake or exhaust manifold?  Listening for 
the leaking air will tell you.  Frankly, I have no experience with leakdown 
numbers.  But it should be a rate (lbs per minute or percent of pressure per 
time).  Clearly your rates vary, but I'm not sure that's enough to warrant a 
rebuild.

> Can anyone give me an opinion on these leakdown numbers; what is
> acceptable, and what my best move is? I've heard more than 10% leakdown
> is a bad sign for newer cars, but does this yardstick also hold for our
> old Alfas?
> 

Good question.  But you should give us some background on why you had the 
compression/leakdown done in the first place.  Is it a smog/smoke/oil 
consumption/low power issue?  If everything seems to be fine, I would not rebuild the 
engine based on leakdown numbers alone - unless, of course, your just itching to 
do the job or upgrade your engine!

> thanks
> George
> 
Cheers,
Charlie
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