Pressure Test a New Engine??

[blackbyrd]

Pretty self explanitory title.
I wondering if there is anything wrong with doing a pressure test(aka boost test) to a brand new engine, before it has been run? Without the seals and rings fully seated.. I don't know, I've been debating if there's anything wrong with doing it, or should I wait until after I've broken it in(motorman style). I am very anal about these things, and want this engine to be 100%, not 99.9...
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys!

 

[crazy_quick]

you should probably do it after you break in the engine, just make sure that all of your pipes are tight. You really dont need to pressure test it if your gonna take it easy for the break in.

 

[blackbyrd]

I'm not going to take it easy for the breakin.. Thats the motorman/tune style, Beat the living crap out of it..
haha, well not exactly, but close. A severe "boost leak" might prevent me from breaking it in perfectly, and not fully seat the piston rings in the honed walls.
I have replaced every gasket, thoroughly scraped and cleaned every gasket surface. Replaced every hose and clamp.. So I'm 99% sure I shouldn't have a leak.
There's only one area/gasket I'm concnered might be leaking, my intake manifold gasket.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242843
So I dunno still..
I appreciate the input!!

 

[crazy_quick]

well, haveing a boost leak is not gonna effect the way the rings set. if you have a severe boost leak youll know, even before pressure testing it.

 

[blackbyrd]

A leak could effect the way the rings seat, if I can't build up boost or power adequetly, at certain rpms.. I only have a short period of time to properly seat these rings.. I guess I will know if I have a leak once i start it, but if I do, then is it alright to test it, before driving it?
Will a fully rebuilt head, never run, cause any problems being pressure tested first?
I'm serious about the 100% not 99.9% thing....
Thanks for indulging my OCD, .

 

[Quasimondo]

No sense in doing a compression or leakdown test on a freshly assembled engine before it is broken in and the rings properly seated. The numbers will appear to be low and you'll think the assembly was faulty.

Break the motor in, then do the compression test.

 

[blackbyrd]

I mean a boost leak/intake leak test.. I call it a pressure test..
I guess maybe Intake Pressure Test, should be a better suitable name.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

No, there's nothing wrong with nor will you damage anything by doing a boost leak test on a new engine. Think about it this way.....your compression numbers are 150PSI+, I know you're not anywhere near that in boost pressure, or even test pressure. Plus you'll know the intake track is "good to go" and that you have no leaks or unmetered air entering the system.

With the exception of the turbo seals (which require oil pressure to aid in sealing), all other seals are as good as they get at this point. The rings might not be fully seated, but that's not a big deal at this point.

I never test at the turbo inlet. As stated, the turbo seals require oil pressure to be fully sealed and a leak test will more often than not reveal leaks in that particular area. I test at the IC inlet.

When doing a proper leak test, one of the things that should be done is to assure the engine is roughly 30 degrees ATDC.

http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215694

 

[blackbyrd]

Thanks Formontoya! Good info.

 

[Defiant]

The areas a boost leak test is testing don't much care about whether the rings are seated. You'll be fine.