yes, i use a mazda strip tester and i have a compression gauge which i use with my video camera so as to record every compression stroke...



prior to 83 (when i switched to rotary) i built and raced lots of full tilt piston road racing motors and my leakdown tester was the tool of choice. i am curious if anyone out there has used a leakdown tester on a rotary... and what are the typical % leakage numbers.



howard coleman

They dont work....I tried it once on an engine that made ~120 psi and couldnt get better than 30/80 psi on my leakdown tester

they have a leakdown style test to check the water seals. you put the engine on tdc, and take off the radiator cap.



not sure it would give you accurate #'s though, or i'm not sure what an accurate number would be for that matter

I think he meant a differential pressure tester for the combustion chamber.

i dont see how you would do that?

more than 50% leakdown? perhaps you were not exactly on tdc? not meant to be critical of you but just wondering...



i am fixturing a degree wheel and plan to give it a try.



howard coleman

Well, let us know if youre successful.



Just FYI, I do leakdown tests on a regular basis on piston engined aircraft.