Hello all,

so I just had my AP2 motor rebuilt by inline pro with their spec 0 series OEM rebuild, nothing special, supposed to be built back to OEM spec.

I have the motor back in the car and have about 200 easy break in miles on it. I’ve made sure to vary the rpms, nothing over 75% throttle runs, etc.

Tonight I did a leakdown test on the motor after taking the car for a 30 min drive. Engine still warm. Cylinders 2 and 3 are showing over 75% leakdown with air blowing hard out of the dipstick hole. The other two cylinders are 15% leakdown.

Im pretty worried. Am I doing this test too early in the break in process? I would’ve thought the rings would be seated by now.

Is it time to lose my marbles completely? TIA!

 

Maybe, talk to Inline Pro?

 

Right, but it’ll be a couple days and I’d appreciate some other opinions.

 

What oil are you using?

Honda owners manual states to NOT change the oil that was shipped in the engine when new until the service interval and to follow the same technique with a rebuilt engine. That's at least 5000 miles, maybe 7500. This implies (to me) that some voodoo oil is used for break-in.

Regardless the blow-by is not encouraging. I'd be in conversation with the engine builder. I assume he filled the crankcase.

-- Chuck

 

Valvoline 5-40 as per their recommendation.

 

Did you run a compression test, too? Those leaking cylinders should be down in compression.

 

I just did a compression test. Cyl 1: 210, Cyl 2: 130, Cyl 3: 100, Cyl 4: 235

Cylinder 2 and 3 spark plugs were covered in oil when I took them out yesterday and again today after warming it up to perform the compression test.

 

did you reuse those oily plugs? or replace with new?

 

Wiped them off and reused them since all I was doing is warming up the car at idle to get the compression test done on a warm engine.

 

Sounds like a head gasket issue.