Pressure testing intake system

[s4mmie]

Ok about to pressure test my intake system. I've rigged up a do-hickey to fit on the TIP to allow me to fill the system with compressed air. I'm aware that you need to remove the oil cap and block off the hockey puck to stop the oil system getting pressurised. Any other traps for young players?

[h100vw]

Don't be putting 50psi up it. 10 should be enough to highlight any weakspots.

[Jmac]

Smoke is the only way , well my only way .

[jimmjumbo]

I found spraying some soapy water over the intake lines helped identify leaks.

or take my Dad's suggestion, spray LP gas around the piping till you get a change in revs.. what could go wrong?

[s4mmie]

Smoke you say?

Hmm, I clamped off the PCV hose and removed the oil cap and started to run pressure through.. I started to hear gurgling/glugging from the engine, like oil was being pumped somewhere so I stopped. Is this normal or harmful. I don't want to blow oil anywhere is shouldn't be going...


<EDIT> Oh and here's my do-hickey. A 2" pvc end cap with a male air fitting screwed in and sealed. Fits like a glove in the TIP --

[jamesdavid]

lol, have you set the timing position to tdc mate? otherwise your intake valves could be open and its blowing right past your rings into the crankcase, hence the gurgling oil sound.

Jmac is spot on in my opinion too, smoke is the best way if your testing for a intake leak, its easy, quick and readily identifiable if there is a leak. Leak down testing i find more help to test valves that aren't seating properly, head gaskets are leaking compression etc

[Jmac]

Smoke machine is the most used tool in my toolkit, very dear but has paid for itself over and over and over. Check intakes, heads, exhausts coolant leaks, oil leaks door seals and the list goes on, its a tried and tested and oldie is the goodie style of diagnostics which i swear by and thats what we were taught to use so was a no brainer to own one.. Couldnt beleive when i was at Audi centre Bris the audi one was an inch thick in dust. Unreal until i dug it out to diagnose an S4 with a painful boost leak. think it gets used more now or least i hope it does. ost decent diagnostic techs will own one. Aside from the test you are trying to do a worn engine test ,the top test is the cylinder leak test then i find myself still backing up my diagnostic with a smoke test doesnt hurt.
Only time i used a compressed air method was on an intercooler with VW and they had all the fittings to do so along with what pressure should be expected, smoker will still find it anyway..
Anyway good luck, each to their own, like i say thats how i was taught and so it is a tool of the "trade"
Cheers
Jmac