Leak down test and crank turning

[danalyse]

Bought a leak down tester from the cheap shit Chinese tool store to try to determine why I am billowing white smoke. Pulled the plugs and inserted the tester. Pumped it up and as soon as we got any significant pressure in the crank turned. The problem is that it is an automatic. How do I keep the crank from turning while doing the test.

[jlevie]

I use a 3/4" drive ratchet wrench and cheater on the crank bolt braced against the floor.

Dense white smoke from the exhaust that is whiter than ordinary condensation can have only one cause. And that is vaporized coolant from a failed head gasket or cracked head.

[g323]

Or cracked block between waterjacket and cylinder. my car got a "lucky" crack between two water jackets - runs fine, no white smoke - I only noticed it when i went to change out the 200 head for a 731

[RangerGress]

22mm socket and your 2' long torque wrench should do it. Rest the torque wrench on something that prevents it from turning.

If you put the cylinder right at TDC, it doesn't have much tendency to turn the crank when you put in 100psi air. There's a DIY for leakdown testing on my website. Drill down to the Track Tales page. The link is at the bottom.