I have a 1999 honda civic si. I just recently did a compression test. Turned the car over about 5 times each time. The results were 120 across the board. Does that seem a little low? Is this normal? What could be causing this low number? My headgasket and/or pistons/rings? Anything else?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

that does seem low, but i would crank it over more times than that. if you can, prop the gauge so you can see it or have someone else turn the key for you. it probably took like 8 turns for mine to get up to the max.
when i did mine one cyl was low but then i redid the test and let it crank longer and it went right up with the others.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stealth89hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that does seem low, but i would crank it over more times than that. if you can, prop the gauge so you can see it or have someone else turn the key for you. it probably took like 8 turns for mine to get up to the max.
when i did mine one cyl was low but then i redid the test and let it crank longer and it went right up with the others.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had my buddy crank it over intill the guage would not go any higher. Stopped going up. Would it matter if the gas pedal was fully pushed in?

 

yes do it with the gas pedal to the floor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CXified &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes do it with the gas pedal to the floor</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks I will try that after all this damn rain stops.

 

make sure you remove all of the spark plugs at the same time. I have success doing compressions tests w/o flooring the pedal

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrokeAssPinoy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">make sure you remove all of the spark plugs at the same time. I have success doing compressions tests w/o flooring the pedal</TD></TR></TABLE>

all spark plugs were removed at the same time and distributor was disconnected.

 

pull the fuse for the fuel pump...much easier

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CXified &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes do it with the gas pedal to the floor</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why? That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Try doin a wet compression test. Pour a little bit of oil into each cylinder and and see what you get.

And no, don't crank it more than 5 times. There is no point. You should be able to get an accuate reading after the second or third turn.

 

I will try the test again wet

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM-97CX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Why? That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Try doin a wet compression test. Pour a little bit of oil into each cylinder and and see what you get.

And no, don't crank it more than 5 times. There is no point. You should be able to get an accuate reading after the second or third turn.</TD></TR></TABLE>

flooring the gas during a compression test is to produce the highest possible compression - you're supposed to do it. i did my test without flooring it - 160psi, flooring it - 220 psi...big difference.

also get your engine up to the normal operating temperature, doing a cold compression test will also yield lower numbers

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM-97CX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why? That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You sure it's the dumbest thing? Seeing as how that is the correct way to do it and all...LoLz..

Yeah, warm the engine up to operating temp, pull the 15amp ECU fuse, pull the plugs and wires, and crank that bitch at WOT until the gauge stops increasing.

That is the correct way to do it.

 

Yes, I successfully did my compression test without the pedal to the floor. Cranked it 10 times. Got 255 250 255 260. Your compression seems low.