Compression test the KA24DE

[Kaeyen]

Wasn't sure if this was the right forum for this, and I searched the hell out of it but came up empty, and this seems like a really dumb question to me but here we go...I know how to do a compression test, but the problem I thought about was I cant figure out how to get the compression tester attached to the engine. how do you actually tighten the compression tester into the sparkplug threads and tighten it down without being able to fit some crazy special wrench down through the plug wire hole thing (using big technical terms here). I can pull the plug wire, and take out the spark plug, and can get the compression tester hose down there, but theres no tool I have that I can think of that could tighten it on there, except barely finger tight. and wouldn't it throw low readings unless it was really screwed in there?

[AZhitman]

Nope - Just spin it into the threads - It will be tight enough just threading it with the hose.

You don't want it TOO tight - Think what would happen if the fitting broke off the end of the hose?

Oh no!!!

Here's a good article for you:

zerothread?id=159838

[420sxse]

Heh I don't have to think. Except what I did was: I spun the hose around until it was screwed in about equivalent to finger tight, and after I did the last cyllinder I didnt notice the fitting on the end of the hose was still in there. I had unscrewed the hose from the fitting, not the whole thing from the head block. Of course, I didn't notice until after I torqued the spark plug in and the wire wouldn't go down as far. What would ideally happen next is: you find a screwdriver that is of stronger metal than the fitting, grind the corners of the screwdrivers tip off, put edges on it like a knife, drive it into the center of the fitting (very very very very carefully), then unscrew.

[Kaeyen]

Awesome, thanks for the info. My girlfriends dad is helping me with a bunch of stuff as far as fixing my car goes. He was pretty much under the impression that he wasn't even going to waste his time trying to get the compression tester in there without having some special tool to tighten it

[AZhitman]

Well, now you can show off how smart you are.

[InsanityInc]

The compression tester generally has a rubber O ring on the surface where it seats with the head, which is why it doesn't need to be as tight as a spark plug to seal.

[Chezedik]

Make sure the engine is warm and the throttle open. Also, disable fuel AND spark, you don't want to wash down the rings and your gauge, do you?

[nismo dreaming]

I just got done doing a compression check on mine. Came out at 160,170,170,170. The next day as i went to go and move it into the drive way, the hg blew. A leak down test is the way to go. There more expensive and alot harder to come by.

[Chezedik]

A compression test is fine for diagnosis on a HG, you use leak down for valve seals, rings, and improper valve seating. Mainly ring wear though.