Need help testing hydraulic compensators (V8)
 

Dear All,

Now that I am able to measure the preload on the hydraulic compensating elements (see my other thread) I have found that all of them are within specs in my car.
However, is there a "working" way to check whether the compensating elements should be replaced? (I get an annoying valve noise).
The manual says: push them down with the handle of a hammer and if one falls faster than the others it will need to be replaced. I find that pushing them down is almost impossible and if I use high force, I cannot feel them going down (we are talking about 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters).
Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks,

Greg

Nevermind
 

Never mind - the hammer handle works; it really goes down relatively easily if it is dead.
My car purrs now like a kitten.