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D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

Old 03-30-2011, 02:10 PM
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Default D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

I searched and the thread I found had all the pictures missing from 05 and yadi so I thought I would post one of my D.I.Y's since most of you who know me know I am a DIY junkie.... ANYWAYS!


First this applies to all cars pretty much... Hondas are just so easy to work on this seems much easier on it!

Here is your starting point.
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First thing is you need to remove the four 10mm bolts holding the spark plug cover on

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Next we'll remove the four 10mm bolts holding down the ignition coils. You will need a 10mm deep socket for that. Then lift the coils and unplug the blue connectors

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Now remove its time to remove the spark plugs. I hate the oring spark plug sockets I recommend buying the magnetic sockets!

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Now keep your plugs in order and compare them... right away I know I'm in trouble as the 3rd cylinder spark plug has liquid on it.... :noes:

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Now you must do one of two things. Depending on the car, you can either pull the fuse for the fuel pump or you can do as I did and pull the injector clips off. Either way you don't want fuel dumping into the engine while testing!

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I don't attach the gauge yet on the tester because it's easier to instal in the cylinder without. But start with cylinder 1. (closest to timing chain/belt) You don't have to start here but I recommend it.

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Now attach the gauge and head into the car.

two thing you need to remember!

a) hold the gas to the floor. You want to test the compression at WOT (wide open throttle)
b) you must be repetitive and bump the engine the same each time for every cylinder!

So hold the gas and crank the engine of 3-5 times. I always do four. However many times you do it just make sure they are all the same! Now go look at your gauge

So here are my cylinders in order

#1
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#2
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#3
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#4
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To my surprise I have not one but two screwed cylinders. You want your cylinders to all be consistent and within a small amount of eachother. As my first two cylinders are.
Compression Pressure:
Above 930 kPa (9.5 kgf/cm , 135 psi)

MaximumVariation:
Within 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm , 28 psi)


If you want to test for a ring you can do a wet test now and pour a little oil in the cylinder and test again to see if the compression bumps up.


I hope your engine results don't turn out like mine!!
Old 05-05-2011, 05:05 PM
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Default Re: D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

Great write-up on how to do this! Would this be the same way to do a test on an integra also?
Old 05-05-2011, 06:35 PM
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Default Re: D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

Originally Posted by Hyoriu
Great write-up on how to do this! Would this be the same way to do a test on an integra also?
yessir it would.
Old 05-06-2011, 09:19 AM
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Default Re: D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

Originally Posted by Type-Spaz
yessir it would.
So what was the deal with the 2 bad cylinders?
Old 05-06-2011, 05:12 PM
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Default Re: D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

I always used 10% as a good rule of thumb in terms of how much of a variance is acceptable. You are saying 35 psi though?
Old 05-07-2011, 08:29 AM
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Default Re: D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

Originally Posted by square_1
I always used 10% as a good rule of thumb in terms of how much of a variance is acceptable. You are saying 35 psi though?
He never said 35psi. He said 28psi. Which has been Honda standard for most of their engines through out the years.
Old 05-07-2011, 02:51 PM
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Default Re: D.I.Y Compression Testing your engine

Oh ok, I missed that. Thanks!
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