Here is how I was taught to check the cylinder:
If it's not too difficult to do, I would remove the cylinder. Push the piston in all the way, and fill it with oil. Then, cap the threads where the hoses go. They are generally NPT threads. So, you can use pipe plugs.
Put the fixed end in a vice, or secure it in some way, and put a long screw driver, or rod through the other end of the piston, and see if you can pull the piston out.
If it only moves a little bit, and resists pulling all the way out, the seal is okay.
If it's leaking that bad, it should pull all they way out pretty easily.
If that's the case, you could start by inspecting the piston for defects, and replace the seals in the cylinder.