VACUUM CHECKING PORTS WITH EGR HOLES
It’s difficult to vacuum test the exhaust valves on the 5 valve per cylinder VW cylinder head and many other heads due to the EGR hole in each port. I’ve found an easy solution. Save the dried silicone from the tip of the tube of silicone. With the exhaust valves out of the head, slip the silicone into the EGR hole. A little oil will help it to seal the EGR hole. Reinstall the valves. Now you can vacuum test each port by itself without having to block off all the ports.

Ronnie Myers
MAR Automotive, Inc
Philadelphia, PA
October, 2014