Cylinder Differential Compression Testing

[Indycars]

What's the difference between CDCT and a leak down test? Is the CDCT
better or worse? Has anyone used this test?

http://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/detai ... dium=email

Cylinder Differential Compression Testing

Subject to Interpretation

Teledyne Continental Motors

May 2000

In its simplest terms, differential compression testing is a tool that maintenance personnel use to check the health of an aircraft cylinder. This tool can be quite useful, but the results can be very misleading in the hands of someone who uses it incorrectly. The differential compression tester has also frequently been the subject of much controversy as there is not universal acceptance of minimum pressure readings or when to take corrective action. Adding to the controversy is the fact that the FAA publishes an advisory circular that gives cut-and-dried instructions for what to accept and what not to accept.

Because of these various approaches to the differential compression test, there is no way to write the definitive piece on how to perform it correctly. Instead, we will attempt to present you with all of the various interpretations of the test and the instructions presented by Continental, Lycoming, and the FAA. Additionally, we will give you a bit of food for thought on what to accept as the definitive method for compression testing, and provide you with some interesting details you might not know regarding the selection of compression testing equipment.

Teledyne Continental Motors recommended procedure
The following is TCM's procedures for differential compression testing. Although TCM's official document for this is TCM Service Bulletin M84-15, TCM offers the following as a summary of their Service Bulletin:

According to Teledyne Continental Motors, differential compression checks of piston engines have been used for many years to help evaluate the condition of engine cylinders. Done properly, the test can identify pressure leaks occurring through the intake or exhaust valves, by the rings, or through head or barrel cracks. The procedure involves applying a known pressure into the cylinder bore with the piston at Top Dead Center (TDC) and measuring the reduced pressure in the combustion chamber due to leakage. For TCM engines, the pressure is generally input through the top spark plug port and the pressure is measured with the differential compression tester.

Eighty pounds of pressure was established long ago in radial engine days as the input pressure. This is generally adequate to establish an accurate leakage reading, but not so high as to move the piston off of TDC. Likewise, what was generally regarded as the maximum permissible pressure drop of 25 percent, or an equivalent outlet reading of 60 psi, was established during the radial engine era. The procedure was documented in AC43.13-1b. This "bible" for compression testing is often still quoted, which as we will discuss, can lead to premature and possibly inaccurate conclusions concerning cylinder health. The correct document for TCM engines is TCM Service Bulletin M84-15. If your maintenance facility does not have this document and does not perform the test per the instruction enclosed, your test results will be suspect.
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If your differential compression test results were less than 60/80 and you think it may be time for a top overhaul, some additional questions need to immediately be asked. The first thing to confirm is that the test was conducted using a TCM calibrated master orifice tool, P/N 646953A. In 1984, TCM determined that the calibration methodologies for various compression testers in the field were not consistent due to the lack of a uniform airflow requirement. To correct this, the master orifice tool was created to properly identify the pressure corresponding to 25 percent leakage. TCM's field experience has identified compression testing systems where the master orifice readings for 25 percent leakage are less than 50 psi. In simple terms, you probably wouldn't even look at these cylinders until the reading was less than 50, not 60. Make sure your facility has and is using this tool for your differential compression test.

Secondly, the determination must be made as to the source of the leakage: static or dynamic. The static leak sources are the valve seats, spark plug port seals, and cracks in the cylinder head or barrel or cylinder to barrel joint seal. Dynamic leakage occurs by the rings.

All static leaks are unacceptable and must be corrected. This, however, does not automatically translate to cylinder removal and repair. The key is to understand that the cylinder environment is a very dynamic one. It is not uncommon for small bits of combustion products to occasionally lodge under a valve seat. To examine this possibility, the cylinder should be "staked," a simple process of tapping the valve stem lightly with a plastic mallet while the cylinder is under pressure. The slight movement may dislodge the particle and allow a more effective seal to be established. You should verify that this test has been done, especially if you have not been noticing the engine roughness which is characteristic of a leaking valve seat.

Differential compression inspection checklist for Teledyne Continental Motors engines

To read the complete article, use the link below:

http://www.aviationpros.com/article/103 ... rpretation

 

[grumpyvette]

leak down
viewtopic.php?f=87&t=332&p=406#p406

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/leak-down-test.10487/

thats a rather interesting question!
But after reading thru the linked info, I don,t see a great deal of difference in the use or intent of the use of the tools, the idea with either tool is to establish a measurable flow rate or leakage value , in the combustion chamber occurring past the cylinder feed inlet port, from the known pressure level value entering the cylinder and the difference will obviously point too a loss of confinement of the gas flow entering the combustion chamber, through the ring to bore seal or valve to valve seat seal, or leaking head gasket, as those are the most obvious leakage points..
Id point out that measuring the combustion chamber seal at TDC , during a leak-down test, has the obvious advantage of easily duplicating the test results giving you a base line to compare the cylinders from, yet I'd also point out that you'll occasionally find the rings and valves do function correctly at TDC but the bore walls are not consistent in size and shape thus as the piston descends down the bore the rings tend to loose seal. cracks in the lower cylinder and out of round bores can in theory pass a leak down test done at TDC. Id also point out that an operating engine has combustion chamber pressure and heat levels that far exceed the test pressure and the dynamic movement of the piston and ring to bore seal in an operational engine can be happening repeatedly ,from 450 to 4000 times a minute, and thats 8- 66 times a second at a peak pressure frequently exceeding 600 psi,and temps easily approaching 450F or more clearances are far tighter than on a cold engine, which means the very reduced time factor, and far tighter clearance significantly reduce the volume of trapped compressed gasses getting out of the combustion chamber so a static test at 80psi-120 psi while helpful won,t tell the full story.

After reading thru that info, Ive got to wonder ,thinking about this, about how many guys even own a leak down tester, and I'd bet significant money even fewer know how to use one correctly or use it to test very often

When testing EACH CYLINDER,with the leak down test gauge make sure the adapters firmly seated and a bit of oil on the threads won,t hurt either, try and find a quiet and well lit place to test, and do a vacuum test also
viewtopic.php?f=62&t=882&p=1390&hilit=propane+leaks#p1390
during the leak-down testing procedure,Listen at the intake manifold for intake valve leakage.
during the leak-down testing procedure,Listen at the exhaust manifold for exhaust valve leakage
during the leak-down testing procedure,Listen at the valve covers or oil fill cap for ring leakage--you'll always have some, but its usually not huge on an engine in good shape, retest after squirting a bit of oil into the cylinder on each cylinder,does it change the reading or sound?.
if your experiencing high rates of crank case pressure chances are good its the result of pressurized gases getting past the ring to bore seal at some point in the pistons travel
during the leak-down testing procedure,Listen and visually check for bubble in the radiator coolant, at the radiator cap for air leakage into the cooling system.
http://www.goodson.com/Dual-Gauge-Leak-Down-Tester/

ANY leakage into the exhaust, intake, or radiator is cause for concern.

when you have a block magnetically or dye checked for cracks , and sonic tested for bore wall thickness, don,t forget to check lifter bores, and lifter gallery areas, and main cap webs etc. just because its not easy to access does not mean cracks can be ignored

at times having an inspection tools handy when you can't get a good look at a problem any other way
if your going to buy a used short block or a bare block from an un-known private source or most salvage yards, obviously you'll need to do BOTH a close inspection, WITH some measuring tools
AND get some idea of the blocks physical condition
this is also a good inspection tool
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-6283- ... pv618.aspx

GOOGLE PV-618 and PV-636

High resolution lens provides a clear image of objects as close as 3/4 inch and over one foot away while providing a wide 40 degree field of view.
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Rugged and water resistant, ProVision is made of high impact ABS and flexible cable sheathing. (Note: Shaft is water resistant, not the handle.)
PV-618 and PV-636 models have .23†diameter, flexible, non-obedient cable. Durable carrying case included.
Accessories available to optimize ProVision for specialized applications.
Made in the USA
Specifications:

Cable Length: 18" (457.2mm)
Cable Diameter: .23"
Handle Length: 6" (152.4mm)
Handle Width: 1.43" (36.2mm)Overall Length: 24" (609.6mm)
Weight of Scope w/ Carrying Case: 1 lb. 5.7 oz (615 g)
Field of View: 40°
Optimal Viewing Distance: Min. .8" (20mm); Max. is dependent upon ambient lighting conditions.
Lamp Volts: 2.7 volts (Halogen)
Power Source: 2 AA batteries (not included)
Pressure Necessary to Operate Lamp: 2.9 avg. p/psi; 3.2 max. p/psi


heres a cheaper version that works with a lap top computer

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RELATED INFO[/b]

 

[87vette81big]

I own A MAC Tools leakdown tester Grumpy.
Most usefull on Race cars.
Smokey Yunick used to say anymore than 7% ring leakage and you don't have a race winning engine.
Have seen 1-2% leakdown rates.
Total Seal Gapless.
5.0 guys like too in thier 1400+ Hp 8-second cars.

 

[bytor]

Interesting related compression testing diag video. Kinda long but good tips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgrfT0LFMhc