I need leak down test done, but nobody around me seems to have a tester. Having never done the test, I thought I'd be better off purchasing the time of somebody knowledgeable who owns the tester. Problem is, calling around reveals that nobody owns precision instruments.
So, am I better off just buying a tester from somewhere like Safe Racer?

 

The test is easy. The tester is cheap. Just do it

 

if you're young, and like working on cars, never pass up the chance to buy a tool. You will get many years use out of most tools, making them cheap in the long run.

If you're looking at a specialty tool you will never use again, rent or pay someone else.

 

I think its like 40-60 or something at HF. That's dirt cheap

 

but if you dont have an air compressor; it's kinda worthless.

check with advance auto parts; they rent tools for free.

 

who doesn't have an air compressor?

why even wrench on cars without one? lol

 

cause I use electric tools?

 

You haven't actually done any real wrenching since like 2009

 

not even true!

this was my garage last June:

 

I prefer to have my own compression and leakdown equipment for engine health monitoring. Measurements can very between instruments and everyone has their own quirky way of doing it. We check compression/leakdown and oil analysis after every event and have a documented procedure for doing it the same time every time.

If you buy a leakdown tester, I recommend the single gauge units like the old snap-on/blue point units if you can find someone willing to sell theirs. Last forever and an excellent design

 

I just picked up an OTC brand tester off of amazon. ~$65 shipped to my door. It's a lot nicer than the HF version and it can operate up to 100psi. I've heard a lot of complaints on the HF model because it uses like 30psi or something real low.

Forego sushi one night and buy yourself a tool that you can easily document and compare engine life test-to-test. The consistency of using the same tool test after test is worth the peace of mind anyday!

Edit :

 

pretty sure that's the same one i have actually.

 

the HF leakdown tester is garbage. Leakdown test procedure is written by the FAA and 30psi is not the way it's done. 80psi, .040" orifice, feed the air into the cylinder slowly.