ENGINE TEST
COMPRESSION TEST
The compression pressure is measured with compression tester by
applying it to the various cylinders and the comparative readings of
individual combustion chambers of the engine can obtained.
STEPS:
a) Run the engine to its normal operating temperature so that the oil
film is present between piston and cylinder wall to provide gas tight
seal.
b) Unscrew all spark plugs and turn the engine over briefly with the
starter motor to remove spot residues through the spark plug hole.
c) Insert the compression tester in the spark plug hole and depress the
accelerator full to open the throttle valve
d) Turn the engine over with the starter motor until the compression
tester stops.
If the combustion chambers are in good condition, the compression
pressures recorded for each cylinder should not differ with more than 2
bar. The average value for a spark ignition engine should be between 6-
12 bar and compression ignition should be between 12- 25 bar.
If the pressure difference is noted between individual cylinder the fault
which has led to loss of compression can be identified by injecting small
amount of oil into the suspected cylinder (wet test). If the compression
pressure reading goes up, the cylinder wall or the piston rings are worn. If
the readings remain unchanged, the leak may be at the valves, valve
seats. Valve guide, cylinder head or gasket.
If two adjacent cylinders record the same compression pressure which is
much lower than the value of the remain cylinders, it indicates cracked
cylinder head or leak in the cylinder head gasket between two cylinders.
If all the cylinders show the same compression pressure readings below 6
bars for spark ignition and 12 bar for compression ignition, this indicates
uniform wear throughout the engine. The engine will need to be
overhauled or replaced by another engine.
By Mr Sike
