JDM motor questions

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Old 10-11-2011, 11:52 AM
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JDM motor questions

hello all,

anyone's got issues with leakdown test on a jdm motor? the test is done before actual install. 20% leak in 3 of the 4 cylinders for me....

bad motor? or just the fact that the motor has been sitting?

thanks.
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Old 10-11-2011, 11:59 AM
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How long was it sitting for?
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Old 10-11-2011, 12:09 PM
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I bought mine from a member. Did the leakdown test. Numbers came back as if the motor was off the Subaru assembly line. So I put it in.

Not like it matters, but what version did you get? sounds like a good excuse to go built!
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Old 10-11-2011, 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Hoofus
How long was it sitting for?
I am not sure how long but i would say 6 months minimum.

Last edited by chochocho; 10-11-2011 at 02:55 PM.
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Old 10-11-2011, 02:56 PM
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btw, here are the test results (done dry)
Cylinder 1: 20% leak
Cylinder 2: 60% leak
Cylinder 3: 20% leak
Cylinder 4: 20% leak

sparkplugs are clean

Last edited by chochocho; 10-11-2011 at 03:14 PM.
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Old 10-11-2011, 03:14 PM
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well if its been sitting a while and you cranked it over by hand with no oil pressure its going to have more blow-by through the rings. Still though thats pretty low
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Old 10-11-2011, 03:35 PM
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Ya....

What year and motor?

EJ20G/K/207/Etc?

Sounds like a good time to freshen the motor up to me. It would be easier to freshen it up and ensure everything is new/in working order prior to installing the motor only to take it back out again.
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Old 10-11-2011, 03:37 PM
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it's a sti v8 motor so i think these are 2004-2005 motors.

maybe freshening up the motor is the way to go. but i still have the warranty with the supplier on return so we'll see.

Last edited by chochocho; 10-12-2011 at 09:24 AM.
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Old 10-11-2011, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by chochocho
it's a sti v8 motor so i think these are 2003-2004 motors.

maybe freshening up the motor is the way to go. but i still have the warranty with the supplier on return so we'll see.
Yeah you have an EJ207 then (I'm loving the motor but would love to have more TQ ) Since you still have a warranty then I'd have a shop do the compression/leak down test to have documentation rather than your own word if you did it yourself. Once you have that documentation contact the motor supplier and see what they say about a replacement. Worst comes to worst if you need to freshen it up there's always 2 great choices to go through...DBTuned or LIC
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Old 10-11-2011, 07:45 PM
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the importer is very confident that the motor is good and he really wants to see that i install the engine first and get it up and running.

of course, if it's bad, i am really s.o.l. i'll still have time for the warranty but i'd lose on all the labor to install and remove.....and possibly reinstall another one.

any suggestion on the leakdown test? does it indicate that i've got a bad block?

Last edited by chochocho; 10-11-2011 at 08:18 PM.
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Old 10-11-2011, 10:07 PM
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From every shop I've talked to (I went through the same thing) you can't really get a proper leak down or compression test unless the motor's been fully lubricated and run.

My motor had ~15 psi on one side and ~30 and turned out to be fine.
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Old 10-11-2011, 11:30 PM
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Where was the leakage going? Past ringlands or valve? Was the motor ever exposed to a lot of moisture or possibly hosed down? It might be a good idea to put a boroscope in there and look at the cylinder walls. I've seen people wash their motors and rust out the cylinder walls.

The 20% wouldn't worry me as much, but the 60% is definately cause for concern.

-- Ed
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Old 10-12-2011, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by chochocho
the importer is very confident that the motor is good and he really wants to see that i install the engine first and get it up and running.

of course, if it's bad, i am really s.o.l. i'll still have time for the warranty but i'd lose on all the labor to install and remove.....and possibly reinstall another one.

any suggestion on the leakdown test? does it indicate that i've got a bad block?
lol of course he just wants you to just install it rather than return it, would else would he say??

where did you get it from BTW? Also 02-03 should be the V7s, and 04-05 are the V8s. The V8 has no TGVs, better cams, and the twin-scroll turbo/headers. Does yours have TGVs?
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Old 10-12-2011, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by chochocho
I am not sure how long but i would say 6 months minimum.
If it had sleeves put it it could have a touch of rust. Have you tried running the engine then re-doing the test after its cool?
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Old 10-12-2011, 09:18 AM
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I wouldn't install that thing with that test result. Have our favorite shop take a good look or return it. Why take the risk when your replacement engine should be in working order. 60% is not working condition in my book.
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