Explorer AWD V8-4.6L (2010)
Compression Check: Testing and Inspection
Cylinder Leakage Detection
Engine
Component Tests
The following component tests are used to diagnose engine concerns.
Cylinder Leakage Detection
When a cylinder produces a low reading, use of a cylinder leakage tester will be helpful in pinpointing the exact cause.
The leakage tester is inserted in the spark plug hole, the piston is brought up to dead center on the compression stroke and compressed air is admitted.
Once the combustion chamber is pressurized, the leakage tester gauge will read the percentage of leakage. Leakage exceeding 20% is excessive.
While the air pressure is retained in the cylinder, listen for the hiss of escaping air. A leak at the intake valve will be heard in the Throttle Body (TB). A
leak at the exhaust valve can be heard at the tail pipe. Leakage past the piston rings will be audible at the PCV connection. If air is passing through a
blown head gasket to an adjacent cylinder, the noise will be evident at the spark plug hole of the cylinder into which the air is leaking. Cracks in the
cylinder block or gasket leakage into the cooling system may be detected by a stream of bubbles in the radiator.
