Cylinder Head Pressure Testing in Sutton & All Nearby Areas | SRS Engineering
One of the most essential diagnostic tools on our proverbial belt, cylinder head pressure testing helps our technicians quickly identify issues with cylinder heads and blocks, suggesting and informing the subsequent repairs. If you’ve blown a gasket, or found your engine is operating inefficiently or inconsistently, it can be a handy way to get to the bottom of the problem without wasting time and money.
Sutton’s SRS Engineering offers this important service to private motorists, trade clients and main dealers throughout areas including Croydon, Epsom, Kingston, Streatham and Wimbledon. A member of industry leading trade body FER, our company operates a dedicated workshop kitted out with the most sophisticated machinery out there. This space enables us to provide a litany of specialist services to repair engines, restoring them to their former glory.
Cylinder Head Pressure Testing Explained
Cylinder head pressure testing is a diagnostic procedure used to identify issues with the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine – for example, to find out if it’s cracked or warped. It can also be a useful diagnostic test for Sutton, Croydon, Epsom, Kingston, Streatham and Wimbledon motorists who’ve suffered a cooling system failure.
Common symptoms that can indicate the need for cylinder head pressure testing include:
- Overheating
- Coolant Loss
- Coolant Leaks
- Oil Discolouration
- Fall Off in Performance
- White Smoke from Exhaust
How it Works
The process involves attaching pressure gauge to the water outlets of each cylinder while the engine is turned off. Then, compressed air is pumped into the cylinder, and the pressure is measured. The cylinder head pressure test helps identify any leaks in the combustion chamber or the engine's cooling system. If the pressure gauge shows a drop in pressure, it indicates that there is a leak in the cylinder head, head gasket, or cylinder block. This can cause overheating, loss of power, and a much higher than necessary level of oil consumption. We can then feed soapy water into the system to isolate the location of the leak.
While testing, we’ll also heat up the cylinder heads as this is only when certain cracks will show up. The test is particularly useful in identifying problems in engines that have overheated, as this can warp the cylinder head or cause cracks in the cylinder walls. Additionally, it can help detect any manufacturing defects in the cylinder head or block – which while rare, we still occasionally encounter when assisting our Sutton, Croydon, Epsom, Kingston, Streatham and Wimbledon based clients. Once we’ve identified the cause of the trouble, we will carry out repairs and resurfacing prior to reassembly, if possible. Otherwise, we’ll recommend the best course of remedial action.