I have my engine to go in my car still attached to the pallet. Out of boredom, I pulled the plugs, everything looked fine. I put the plug wires back on the valve cover (minus the plugs) and turned the pulley. All the plug wires pop up except number 3. It moves, but not as much as the others.

So, without using a compression tester, is there any other way I can check this?

 

I don't think so other wise people wouldnt be getting screwed by piston ring leaks
that would be amazing if their was a way tho

 

My friend did it one time by straight wiring the starter to a battery or something. I didnt see it he just told me about it. He prolly had to do something else but im not sure what it is. Ill call him and ask him and report back.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VegaS10 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

So, without using a compression tester, is there any other way I can check this?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm pretty sure there is absolutely no way you can check the compression without a compression tester.

You can run a compression test when the engine is outside of the car, but without a compression tester how are you supposed to know how much compression you are getting??

 

yeah this would work, might hurt so be careful, but if you could wire the starter you can get a push button "remote starter" from autozone for like $12. you wire it in between the positive line on the starter and the battery and fire it that way.

great idea. ive got a couple motors i pulled that i need to test, thanks for the help.

 

&gt;&gt;So, without using a compression tester, is there any other way I can check this?

to that part: no, but theyre like $30 or so from sears.

 

dude get a push button wired up between your battery and starter, simple as that.

 

yes it can be done WITHOUT motor installed in a car, NO is cant be done WITHOUT the actual compression tester guage... I think that sums it up

 

Another factor to consider,
A compression test should be performed
when the engine is at operating temperature..

While the cold test could alert you of an obvious problem
like if there were no compression at all,
Most likely the numbers will be higher than normal and not
an accurate reading..

It is also recommended to remove all four spark plugs as
the crankcase pressure can have an effect on the readings.

 

itll tell you if the numbers are close to each other or like you said if one is way down, its better than nothing.

part of the spark plug removal is so you dont unnecessarily tax the battery causing premature draining (personal problem eh?)

heres a fun one, nominal pressures on a miata are about 185, we just picked up a car with the original motor, 250k on the clock, 130 across all four. *SIGH* She's tired.

whats nominal on a civic? i remember my friends built b16 was 210~