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compression test...stupid question 900

got a compression tester to test the engine last weekend..

but toooo short to go into spark holes (screw in type tester)..

got extension for it to extend into holes...

extender has a internal bore of maybee 10mm (circa 1/2 inch) and is 200mm long (circa 9 inches) this bore is un valved...so the valve on the tester will have this space between the cylinder and the valve into which the compression can be 'absorbed'

I asume this will lead to lower than manufacturers spec readings, but - of course- the cyclinders should read approx the same readings...

can i work out a conversion formula..on the basis that

say engine compression is 8.5:1

take volume of engine/4 for vol per cylinder..

divide vol per cylinder/ engine compression to get % unswept volume...

multiply unswept volume % by cylinder volume to get unsept capacity

then add the capacity of the extension to the unswept capacity to get a 'measured' capacity...

then use a % against compression expected to get a target compression?

or something of that kind...

or is my thinking wrong here
...









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    compression test...stupid question 900

    You are overthinking the process.

    The important measure, as you stated earlier, is whether or not the individual cylinders are within an acceptable degree of difference of each other (rule of thumb, 10%). The amount of compression compared to a "manufacturers spec" usually can be ignored so long as it isn't wildly off the mark. There are so many variables to consider (ring condition, oil viscosity, coolant temp, oil temp, valve condition, carbon build-up, cylinder wall condition, etc.) that matching a spec for compression is not likely to happen in the uncontrolled conditions of your home garage. However, you can be comfortable in assuming the current conditions, whatever they are, should affect all cylinders equally in a healthy engine. So, assuming that is the case, they should all fall within a similar value band. One or more cylinders being overly different from the others indicates a problem and is what you should be looking for. Will the "manifold" of the extension affect the overall reading? Yes, but it will do so equally across all the cylinders, therefore cancelling itself out when comparisons are made.

    Don't sweat it, unless you need the math practice.
    --
    Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '91 940T, '88 240, '94 F-150, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR








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      compression test...stupid question 900

      well i sure dont need the math practice,

      what concerns me is i may have a engine that is breathing heavily accorss all the cylinders and presurisingthe crank to such and extent that the PCV system is seeing way more oil vavpour than it should...either that or my turbo seals are shot...

      so i was hoping to be able to say scientifically that the whole engine is in good shape and get an assessment of its wear...









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        compression test...stupid question 900

        The best way to check for leakage is with a leak down test where each cylinder is pressurized and the rate of leakage is measured. Best to have this done at a shop since the equipment can be prohibitive.
        --
        Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '91 940T, '88 240, '94 F-150, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR








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          compression test...stupid question 900

          Thanks bob, i did the compression test and the figures (even without the extension piece) are no where near the spec...duh....

          I think im just going to go with recon turbo and blow all the carbon out then try again...







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