elbekko Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Would you buy them? I'm looking at a leakdown tester, and found this: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Engine-Cylinder-Leak-down-Detector-Leakage-Compression-Compressor-Measure-Dual-Gauge-Test-Tester-Diagnostic-Diagnosis-Tool/32278854199.html About half the price of comparable sets from reputable companies. On one hand, how wrong can they get something like that? On the other hand, one bad seal would probably be enough to make it useless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangy35 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I think most tools are made there, you can ask them to put your logo on there and away you go. Cant see why it wont work, if worse comes to worse the gauges may be a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 Yeah, that's what I'm thinking as well. The gauges don't really matter, I don't care if it says 5 bar or 6 bar, as long as the rate of change is somewhat accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat_pending Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Looks identical to the Sealey one we have at work, that works perfectly. I would imagine they came out of the same factory. So yes, worth a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich broom Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Even a lot of the snap on tools are made there now. Quality definatly dropped in last few years. In fact, some of the lesser branded tools are better than snap on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I don't use snap on much, i think they're over priced, but when i have i've been given the option of usa made or other country. if your using it occasionally it will probably be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I just made my own leak down tester from a compression tester, but there are no gauges. Even so it is still really useful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boydie Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I have an almost identical kit, purchased on EBay and imported from China, and for the amount of uses it gets (about 4 times to date in over 5 years) it works fine and seems to be reasonably accurate, it's certainly accurate enough for general home mechanic use anyway, the only problem I had with mine was having an adaptor turned up so I could measure the compression at the glow-plug port rather than having to remove the injector, this way I can read the compression with the engine up to temperature and running at idle speed 750rpm - Chinese spanners, screwdrivers and sockets however are made from hardened plasticine . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll order it up then. Really need to hunt down that oil usage, it's gotten to ridiculous points now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted May 6, 2015 Author Share Posted May 6, 2015 Well, they arrived yesterday. Looks pretty good. I ordered a leakdown tester, a compression tester, and a valve spring compressor tool (the one I had before is a bit charred now). The compression tester and leakdown tester were shipped from Germany (!) and were here in a few days. The valve spring compressor will take a bit longer, as it's coming from China. Compression tester: Leakdown tester: Note how it fits perfectly in a case of Westmalle Tripel It all looks pretty good, the machining and threads look clean. Not sure when I'll get around to testing it out, hopefully soon. And the most amazing thing is, the manual doesn't appear to be in Chinglish, but actual English Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangy35 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Even a lot of the snap on tools are made there now. Quality definatly dropped in last few years. In fact, some of the lesser branded tools are better than snap on AMEN TO YOU BROTHER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 I hope your purchases turn out to be good ones. A quick browse on said Chinese site and I arrived at a rather disturbing product! http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pick-Gun-Brockhage-Downward-European-Locks-Door/663223921.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted May 6, 2015 Author Share Posted May 6, 2015 While we're on the topic, how do I position the cylinder for the leakdown test? Do I need to pop the rocker cover off to check both valves are closed, or is there a better way I'm overlooking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 rocker cover will be the easiest way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I hope your purchases turn out to be good ones. A quick browse on said Chinese site and I arrived at a rather disturbing product! http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pick-Gun-Brockhage-Downward-European-Locks-Door/663223921.html They're available in the uk to Mickey, the saying goes 'a lock keeps an honest man out'. Look up bump keys on youtube, simpler, smaller and diy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boydie Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Leak-down test (from my manual, and the way I tested mine - all 4 cylinders) Turn engine to BDC for the cylinder to be tested, turn it over by hand to TDC and hold it there and read the pressure and the leakage rate. Note, engine should be at normal working temperature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 Just did a bit of visualising to make sense of the numbers from the manual: Valve timing Inlet ExhaustOpens 28°BTDC .............................................................................. 66°BBDCCloses 77°ABDC .............................................................................. 39°ATDC So it does appear that no valve is even slightly open at TDC, so there should be no need to take off the rocker cover - getting anywhere near TDC should be alright. (I hope that's correct) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 However you will find the engine will turn over under the air pressure and unless it's on exactly tdc then it will turn enough for valves to open. It needs locking via a breaker bar against the chassis. (FFS don't hold the bar it's just asking for knuckle injury) IMO a leak off test is much better than a compression test for anothing other than a quick health check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 P.s. on the subject of cheap Chinese tools, I have just bought a trans mission hack for £70 off of e blag. would normally she'll out for a sealey premier one or at the very least a Clarke one, but this looks identical and I am skint at the moment, but need it for a job. I'll let you know what it is like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted May 9, 2015 Author Share Posted May 9, 2015 However you will find the engine will turn over under the air pressure and unless it's on exactly tdc then it will turn enough for valves to open. It needs locking via a breaker bar against the chassis. (FFS don't hold the bar it's just asking for knuckle injury) Yeah, I read about the TDC thing to stop the engine rotating. I wonder how much of an issue that will really be, with all of the plugs in, and the cylinder somewhere around TDC (where it doesn't visibly move up or down anymore). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 my compressor isnt massively powerful (150psi) and it managed to crank mine round a bit and catch me off guard haha. my engine has fairly good compression too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 The valve spring compressor tool has arrived as well. It actually feels a lot sturdier and better made than the Sealey one I had before: So all in all a good set of tools for €70ish delivered to my door! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 That BGS stuff seams ok, a lot of the dodgy tool vans that come round carry it, the do some very good long ring sppanners and double jointed pliers. Will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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