Leakdown test on Type 4 engine - cold or hot?

[eche_bus]

I've got a good quality leakdown tester on hand and would like to make sure to get valid results using it for the first time. Have read comments online that say this test should be done with engine warmed up, others say cold is OK. It's not a problem to warm the engine up first, but I'm concerned about the conventional wisdom that says the spark plugs shouldn't be removed/inserted unless the engine is cold. Could really use some advice from others here. Sure don't want to risk stripping plug hole threads!

So, will I get valid results doing a leakdown test cold? Or, if I have to do it warm, how warm is warm enough? Any precautions aside from using anti-seize?

[busdaddy]

Crack the plugs loose first when it's cold, then warm it up to operating temp.

Make sure it's at exactly TDC, put it in 4th gear and set the brake before opening the air valve, if it's slightly off it'll turn 3/4 of a stroke with quite a bit of force.
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[eche_bus]

Thanks busdaddy - So crack the plugs loose when cold, but how tight is "tight enough" to keep the plugs in place while running for the warmup? Finger tight?

[busdaddy]

Finger tight is fine for a warm up.
I seem to recall getting about 15 miles at highway speeds out of a bug with a cracked head before it would spit the plug, that trip took a while.
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[eche_bus]

Thanks, that bug story gives me a little perspective. This aluminum head stuff is all new to me, so I try not to assume much out of fears of catastrophe.

[busdaddy]

It's likely best you don't do the final retorque until after it's cooled off.

Since your engine gets regular attention odds are good you wouldn't even have an issue loosening them warm, that's usually a result of high mileage plugs and neglect. Still safer to do it cold just in case.
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