Diggins

I had to get the head gasket replaced on my b16a. A good mechanic told me I should do a compression check on the engine since I'm not gettin an idle or even a decent throttle response on the engine. I have no idea how to do a compression check. What tools would I need and can I do it? If not is the average car shop a safe place to get it done at?

hatchling37

There are readily available compression testers; you can probably rent a screw-in type for cheap. All you do in that case is remove your spark plug wires and pull the plug for which cylinder you want to check. Screw in the tester and then either have someone crank it over or jump in and crank it yourself for roughly 5-7 seconds. Scribble down your results and continue on to the other cylinders. If the pressures are all within (I think) 20% of each other, you've got acceptable compression. That is, if it's up in the 140 psi range. Do a search for more information if this wasn't enough.l

Diggins

Thanks Hatch, I'll get right on that. It's nice to know it's just that easy to check it out. One day I'll be a decent self mechanic when it comes to cars... but for now I'll continue to ask all the "easy" questions until I do.

Excel motor werks

wait, don't forget to un plug the injector grounds so the injectors don't fire fuel in to the cumbustion camber while your trying to crank it up, very important. it's loc on the pass side of the eng bay it's the plug with yellow and black wires connected to it with a cap on the end of the plug.