The only efficient and accurate way to test for compression is with a compression gauge which resembles a tire gauge. They allow you to have the right clearance and other stuff to properly measure the engine compression in that cylinder.
How To Do A Compression Test 15 Steps With Pictures Wikihow
How to check engine compression without a gauge. Consider doing a compression test. Look down on the engine to figure out which cylinder is closest to the front of the engine. The first cylinder is on the rightmost ones in most engines. Number 23and 4 act sluggish when i remove the plug wire from the plug but number 1 there is no difference when i remove it so i am assuming number 1 cylinder is not firing. Those silver threaded pieces that came with your compression testing kit are adapters. On vehicles with distributors.
I was told to try testing the compression of that cylinder but i dont know how to without using a gauge. It is important to perform a compression test every time a tune up is done as part of preventative maintenance. Pull the big wire that leads to the coil from the. Symptoms of a compression problem can include hard starting erratic idling loss of power under load and hard starting when the engine is hot. If your engine is running rough or is lacking power. Disconnect the main wire to the coil and spark plug.
Heres how to use a compression gauge. Note the circular cylinders and the timing belt on the engines front. The next step depends on the type of distributor you have. Step 1 remove the fuel pump and fuel injection fuses. If you find a cylinder with low compression put a small amount of engine oil into the cylinder and retest the compression. If the compression is higher then you know its a piston ring problem because the oil will temporarily seal the rings to the cylinder wall.
Put the compression test adapter into the engines first cylinder. If air is leaking somewhere in the engine you will notice a drop in compression. A compression test is a good way to measure the condition of the rings cylinders and valves. Have someone sit in the drivers seat with the engine off the gearshift in park or neutral and the parking brake on. Remove one spark plug and insert the appropriate testing adapter. With a compression tester a few hand tools and 20 minutes you can try this yourself.
A spark plug socket will insert it easily.