Perfect leak down test numbers, but...

[Ryan]

So we got the head bolted on the passenger side of my new short block. We did a leak down test and it came out perfect on bolt cylinders at 5%. But at the same time we found some air bubbles coming out around the edges on a couple of the exhaust side valves looking through the exhaust port, and also one valve on the intake side is bubbling too. Is this somewhat normal?

 

[Meyagi]

did you regrind or lap the valves? 5% is 5%. it will run fine

 

[boxer3main]

remember that is not runtime either...

a static check is just that, the valves are smacking around fast much harder than its seat when running, and at high temps, squishy.

aluminum heads are great for sealing.

altho, to undestand your concern.. I left an ea82 with an intake off, coolant got in on in the intake port... and it stayed there for months. No leaks at all...

It was a bigger world of valves, and come to think of it.. bolts, guides, seats and gaskets....

maybe one could/should be concerned over this on the EJ.

I bet they get worse before never getting better. a lot of moving parts..much slower hotter flows.