C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Leak Down compression test. tell all?

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Old Apr 3, 2005 | 04:02 PM
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Default Leak Down compression test. tell all?

I am in the process of a lawsuit and I need to know if a leak down compression test reveals if an engine has bad rings or not? This car is a ZR1. thanks, ed ramos
also, is a leak down compression test difficult to do on a lt5 motor because of it's 4 cams and 32 valves?
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Old Apr 3, 2005 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by edram454
I am in the process of a lawsuit and I need to know if a leak down compression test reveals if an engine has bad rings or not? This car is a ZR1. thanks, ed ramos
also, is a leak down compression test difficult to do on a lt5 motor because of it's 4 cams and 32 valves?
Sorry, can't help with ZR1 stuff.

A leak down test and a compression test are two different animals. One's done with the piston in a static position and the other with the engine being cranked.

But with the L98, LTx stuff, a leak down test is an INDICATOR that there is a problem with rings or valves. There are a couple of other steps to ID which it is.

Most shop manuals show how it's to be done since the piston has to be at TDC with both valves fully closed.

A dual gauge tester is the best to use.

Since you're talking legal action, you'll be best served to have the tests done by a neutral/disinterested shop which specializes in such diagnostic tests.

Jake
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Old Apr 3, 2005 | 07:08 PM
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You are going to need to have an "expert" witness to testify on your behalf. Your testimony, alone, will be discredited in a hot second. It will turn into a "he said, she said" debate. The burden of proof is on YOUR shoulders to demonstrate the damage and prove that the defendant was the proximate cause. Don't expect the judge to know what you're talking about.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Apr 3, 2005 | 10:00 PM
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Default expert witness

yes I do have an expert witness, Aaron Scott. We all know Aaron is extremely knowledgable in the area of LT5 motors. He is the one who said the engine has internal oiling problems. Of course, I believe him 100%. He is a guy with a concience who just, in his own words, "dont want to see you get hurt", cares about all of us out there trying to get into a good Z. He didnt have to tell me that but he did and I appreciate his honesty. He said he would do anything I needed to help me out. We are lucky to have Aaron in the ZR1 community.
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Old Apr 3, 2005 | 10:20 PM
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Yes, a leakdown test is a great way to test rings. Just about any decent mechanic knows how to do a good leak-down test.
And as for being harder, not at all since the spark plug holes are much easier to get to on an lt5. Hope this helps.
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Old Apr 3, 2005 | 11:23 PM
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Default leak down test

If a person like Aaron Scott tells you the engine has ring problem but the seller says it passed the lead down compression test, which would you believe? Should I have Aaron perform the leak down test? I find it almost impossible to go against the advice of Aaron Scott. He had the car in his shop for 2 months and it smoked like a ocean liner. I could not tell it was smoking when I went for a test ride because I was sitting in the car and not looking out back. also, car was never left idleing so I can look at the pipes. there was soot on the new exhaust tips. what to do?
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Old Apr 4, 2005 | 01:00 AM
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I would have the leakdown test done wherever you can be there t ophysically see that the results are what they say they are. Never know someone's motives.
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Old Apr 4, 2005 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by edram454
If a person like Aaron Scott tells you the engine has ring problem but the seller says it passed the lead down compression test, which would you believe? Should I have Aaron perform the leak down test? I find it almost impossible to go against the advice of Aaron Scott. He had the car in his shop for 2 months and it smoked like a ocean liner. I could not tell it was smoking when I went for a test ride because I was sitting in the car and not looking out back. also, car was never left idleing so I can look at the pipes. there was soot on the new exhaust tips. what to do?

Soot doesn't mean anything - all LT5s will produce soot on the tail-pipes just going WOT. Aaron is a straight shooter though - I can vouch for that much.
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Old Apr 4, 2005 | 11:50 PM
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Originally Posted by edram454
I am in the process of a lawsuit and I need to know if a leak down compression test reveals if an engine has bad rings or not? This car is a ZR1. thanks, ed ramos
also, is a leak down compression test difficult to do on a lt5 motor because of it's 4 cams and 32 valves?
Some years ago I had a LT5 motor done at LPE, it had a problem and I asked about a leakdown test and was told that the hyd lifter design of the LT5 sometimes caused invalid readings on a leakdown test and they did not use it on LT5s. What they used was to do a compression test to see what the compression was then on low cyl squirt some oil in the cyl and do the test again, if the compression came up it was an 'indicator' that the rings may be bad.

Tyler
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