okay so my civic was missing on one of the cylinders so i figured id pull the spark plugs and while i had them out, i could do a compression test. Well the plugs were almost completly black (probably the reason it was missing) and when i ran a compression test i got the results of:
plug 1 - 125 psi
plug 2 - 114 psi
plug 3 - 110 psi
plug 4 - 125 psi
thats extremely low right? also the bad plugs wouldnt have had any effect on these results right?

 

The plugs wouldn't affect your compression, no. Yes, those numbers are low. How many rotations did you give the motor for each test? Did you do it WOT?

 

Yeah WOT it and make sure the other three plugs are out as well it makes it spin better. Add oil for one of your tests see if its a sealing issue. Good luck.

 

I like this guy. I think it's a good how to... I read between 173 and 220 psi is the sweet spot for a b16a2.

 

Did you pull the injector fuse as well?

 

You had ALL the plugs out?

I just recently learned how to correctly do one as well, and its:

- All plugs out
- Disconnect ignition (connectors at distributor)
- Disable fuel injection
- Have foot on gas while cranking for Clear Flood Mode, or WOT (Wide-Open Throttle)
- Let crank 5 or 6 times
- Repeat in cylinder after adding a small amount of oil.

 

ok so i didnt disconnect the ignition, or disable the fuel injection, so that may change the numbers. yes i had all the plugs out while testing the compression, and i didnt do a set amount of motor rotations, i just stopped when the compression gauge stopped increasing. Ill redo the tests again with the things i didnt do for the last one, hopefully this gives better results. Also i didnt add oil to see if the rings are bad, so i will try that as well

 

okay so slight problem.. My compression tester is stuck in the spark plug hole... Not a clue how to get it out, it spins but doesnt come out of the threads. Anyone know how to get it out easily?

 

Did you try lifting (upward pressure) the gauge end of the compression tester hose while at the same time unscrewing the spark plug end of the compression tester? Alternatively, you could pull the valve cover off and use a long flat head screw driver or possibly needle nose pliers/vice grips to help pry (apply pressure) at the base of compression tester while simultaneously unscrewing it.

Sounds like it may have a stripped spark plug thread(s) If, that is the case you could be loosing compression through the spark plug threads not sealing correctly. Helicoil (or similar) kits can repair that.

Spark plugs analysis: http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/engine/plugs.html

 

i have tried pulling up on it while attempting to unscrew it, that doesnt work. I dont think the threads are stripped because i ran another compression test in hopes that would fix the problem and the gauge held the pressure without letting it leak out. Odds are im going to have use needle nose pliers to get it out, how hard is it to take of the valve cover off?

 

Well....

Once you fix this issue restart the test and if the numbers look similar to what you posted than do a leak down test to verify its not your valves.

 

yeah, thats what i was planning on doing. When i am able to rerun the tests ill post the compression ratings

 

Not very hard.. read some DIY's or watch vids on it.