I did the leak down test this morning using my tester I built from these plans from 650motorcyles.com. I'm not totally convinced that the #'s are accurate since a 100% leak shows up as a 20% leak but at least it'll give a reference point since all the cylinders should be within 1-2% of each other. Keep in mind I did a compression test back when this all first started and got excellent results.

btw, this motor has a new head gasket, valve stem seals, resurfaced head, newly rebuilt turbo and is burning 1/2 a quart of oil in 20-30 minutes.

Anyways I ended up with:
cylinder 4: 3%
cylinder 3: 9%
cylinder 2: 4-5%
cylinder 1: 5%

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So the sum of all of this:
1. does it look like there's a serious motor issue? - I think I've got a cracked ring on cylinder 3, apparently the injector is screwed on this cylinder as well. code p0203
2. should I just swap in a newer motor? (found one with 40k for $600) - thats my plan
3. Should I swap my ported head and decomp head gasket to the newer block or just leave it intact? I think I'll swap in the head, it was JUST resurfaced and cleaned, new valve stem seals, and is ported/gasket matched to the intake and exhaust.

 

hey i dont really know what to tell you about the leak in cylinder #3 and all the others. But id say if you do, do the motor swap with the newer engine then, yeah i would go ahead and put the ported head on the block with that nice brand new gasket. Cause even though the engine may be in better shape, putting brand new stuff on is always good and seems to feel like new again. And you also have peace in mind knowing that it is good! Just remember to tighten everything down in the right order and to the certain torque specs.

 

yeah, installing head gaskets is old hat now. I've only pulled pistons out of a single cylinder motorcycle so this is a bit of a different beast.

So anyone ever done one of these tests before? I'd really like to get a second opinion before I bite the bullet and buy the new motor tomorrow.

 

Yah I been looking a vids of that...

You did each cyclinder at T.D.C right?

JUST making sure.

From what ive seen on other vids, if you can hear it leaking out of things, such as what you have in your vid it isnt good. =(

Id say look at new engines with less milage? You can get em for fairly good prices.

 

yup, tdc on the compression stroke. you can tell if your on the wrong stroke as it leaks a ton through the intake or exhaust valves.

 

New motor is purchased. Ended up getting one with 52k for $350 + tax. Going up to Lancaster Ohio this weekend to pick it up. Then the real fun begins!

 

did a leak down test on that motor tonight finally.....

cylinder 4: 15% Exhaust
cylinder 3: 20% Intake
cylinder 2: 15% Exhaust
cylinder 1: 20% Exhaust


...needless to say I'm not very happy.

Attachment 675
Attachment 674

 

Ouch, I got burned on a similar deal.
Beta II with supposedly 30k on it.. started to smoke so the guy swapped motors.
got the thing torn apart and it looks like the oil was never changed.... just discusting... very dissapointing....

 

well, I think I'm actually going to go ahead and install it this weekend. I talked to my machine shop guy and he says that a lot of times a little rust builds up on the valves and causes that and goes away after you run it a while...

I pulled off the oil pan and it looks good! No sludge and the oil didn't really have that gritty metal particle feel in the bottom like there was in my motor at ~80k.