EAS Leak Test

[davidsonsm]

Anybody offer any advice on a suitable leak test gas that could be injected in to the eas system for leak testing. Visible or sniffable?

I could use the manual inflation valves for injecting. Wondering if anybody has tried this with any success?

My front end is dropping overnight, eventually followed by the rears, despite a rebuild (a few actually).

[Hoges]

How annoying!:mad: Not sure about the nature or worth of a leak detector gas
... a liquid leak detector is probably the best bet...one which gives decent bubbles. Different concentrations of detergent can be effective. Also if it's slopped on with a paintbrush then the initial sudsing is minimised making it easier to detect leaks... (learned this after lots of practice!)

Are you sure it's the valve block and not connectors to, or splits in the airbags?

[davidsonsm]

Thanks for the painting on advice.

If the problem lies beneath the valve block - any suggestions on how to get the soapy solution there? And see it - mirror I guess? It would be ideal if you could fill the EAS box with soapy water - but that's probably not recommended.

Been doing some bubble research - 3 parts water, 1 part detergent, 1/2 part white corn syrup (Woolies/Coles I assume) and some food colouring. I'll try that. It'd be ideal if it was flourescent flood colouring.

I just want to be more scientific - rather than just keep taking the block out, taking it apart, putting it back and hoping for the best.

Therefore, I'm going to put a condom over the exhaust silencer - see if it fills overnight (with air that is).

And I'm going to blank off the tee connections to the valve block - to see if the car stays at the same height without the valve block - just using the manual inflation system.

Any other suggestions would be aprpeciated.

[Hoges]

Thanks for the painting on advice.

If the problem lies beneath the valve block - any suggestions on how to get the soapy solution there? And see it - mirror I guess? It would be ideal if you could fill the EAS box with soapy water - but that's probably not recommended.

Been doing some bubble research - 3 parts water, 1 part detergent, 1/2 part white corn syrup (Woolies/Coles I assume) and some food colouring. I'll try that. It'd be ideal if it was flourescent flood colouring.

I just want to be more scientific - rather than just keep taking the block out, taking it apart, putting it back and hoping for the best.

Therefore, I'm going to put a condom over the exhaust silencer - see if it fills overnight (with air that is).

And I'm going to blank off the tee connections to the valve block - to see if the car stays at the same height without the valve block - just using the manual inflation system.

Any other suggestions would be aprpeciated.

Should clear up a couple of misconceptions...about theories as to EAS leaks that is:angel:

[RR P38]

If you pull your EAS relay over night does it still sag?

[davidsonsm]

Yeah. It still sags with the eas delay timer inactive. Doesn't that s signify a definite leak rather than the eas brain working overtime once the engine is off?

[FANTOM P38]

Sean give this a try:
remove valve block assembly from EAS Box.
Re-Install Valve Block & connect all airlines without box in vehicle.
This way you can apply detergent allover and run in vehicle and you are also able to tilt valveblock to see underneath to check for any leaks there.
I did this with mine & found one of the solenoids causing my issue. Sure enough once pulled down it was that fine oring on shaft ( again).
Hope this helps! good luck.

[davidsonsm]

Just back from woollies mixing my special new leak detection concoction. Will try reinstalling without the box. Good idea.

[RR P38]

Yeah. It still sags with the eas delay timer inactive. Doesn't that s signify a definite leak rather than the eas brain working overtime once the engine is off?

Yes,
Personally I wouldnt be introducing liquid INTO the EAS system, pipe work.
Not sure how old your air bags are, but check for cracks and leaks at different height settings as well.

[davidsonsm]

Bags are around 3 years old and gen III's so should be good. Have checked everywhere that is accessible. Will try painting on this new mix and try without the black plastic box to gain access to the blocks underside.
Does anybody know if you can lift off the solenoid actuators when checking?

[Hoges]

Just paint around the base of the solenoids. An air leak will be readily seen;) While the bags maybe ok, it's also worth checking the inlets....

[FANTOM P38]

Sounds obvious but i guess you checked the fittings at you're EAS bypass block- easy to forget juast as likely to have leak!

[FANTOM P38]

Sean by the way was that ypour motor featured on "Man & Machine" today @ Orger engines?

[davidsonsm]

Martin. Not that I'm aware of. Will check it out. The engine is nearing completion. I'll update the relevant post in due course. It's been all fun and games. And money.

On this post, I'm going to go over the whole system again this weekend. I have my pink food dye, corn syrup and detergent mixture. Air leaks be afraid - your gonna get washed with a pink sickly sweet soapy solution that will have you foaming like crazy. Not sure where I'm going with that one.

[Hoges]

FWIW...When you're finished testing with the concoction, washing it off with a 50% water/metho mix will get rid of residues and help to dry it quicker...

[TheTree]

Sean

Sorry to hear you are still battling with the EAS :eek:

From the sound of it a mechanical leak is the problem for sure

Do you have a pressure gauge hooked up? I found it helpful to see if the main system and tank were holding pressure.

Best of luck

Steve

[davidsonsm]

I'm just about to fit a permanent pressure gauge, but I've been using a temporary one on the Schrader valve I have under the bonnet on the receiver/tank pipe.

The tank seems to hold pressure well - as the car soon comes back to ride height when it starts.

I was even contemplating a brand new valve block this week - its been that frustrating. LR Direct were advertising them at GBP400 delivered - which is by far the cheapest I've seen. They were sourced from AllMakes - but guess what - they're out of stock. Probably a good job - it'll save me the expense and it'll force me to sort out my own. Its character building. I wouldn't mind, but there was nothing wrong with the block in the first place. I was subscribing to the preventative maintenance school of theory, but perhaps should have gone with the "if it aint broke, don't fix it".

[superquag]

I cheated, used an ultrasonic leak detector. - Cheapie but it did the job!
Turned out it was a couple of NEW fittings and some doubtful ones in my 'self-rescue' setup.:eek:

A dam of plasticene and filling it with kids bubble-mixture also works for those really slow leaks, such as coming up past the threads...

[davidsonsm]

All great feedback guys. Appreciate it.

[davidsonsm]

I cheated, used an ultrasonic leak detector. - Cheapie but it did the job!
Turned out it was a couple of NEW fittings and some doubtful ones in my 'self-rescue' setup.:eek:

A dam of plasticene and filling it with kids bubble-mixture also works for those really slow leaks, such as coming up past the threads...

Can I ask you what detector you bought and its price?






I cheated, used an ultrasonic leak detector. - Cheapie but it did the job!
Turned out it was a couple of NEW fittings and some doubtful ones in my 'self-rescue' setup.:eek:

A dam of plasticene and filling it with kids bubble-mixture also works for those really slow leaks, such as coming up past the threads...

[TheTree]

HI

I also found a little smear of Vaseline on the end of the tube before you put it into the fitting helps a lot.

The ultrasonic leak detector sounds awesome :cool:

Steve

[superquag]

Can I ask you what detector you bought and its price?

Inficon brand, 'Whisper' model. Around $250 from Valutesters.com

Valuetesters.com: HVAC AC, Cable Testers, Thermal Cameras at discount Leak Detector Ultrasonic - Industrial (http://www.valuetesters.com/industrial/leak-detector-ultrasonic.html?p=2)

Edit:- That was in 2009, $50 of that was shipping. Mine operates from two size 'D' cells, so I'd say it's the equivalent of the current 'enhanced' Whisper. According to my specs, it will detect an air leaking out of a 0.004" diameter orifice, at 5.0 psig. from a distance of 12"
That's 0.1mm hole at 30cm distance at 5psi.
- This may be a little optimistic, as it was not as effective when dealing with very slow leaks on an inflatable boat. - The reason I bought it.

Bubble Bath or Windex or dishwashing liquid is a lot cheaper.....