Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Compression test. Am i doing this wrong?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 4, 2009 | 09:55 PM
  #1  
91ZLS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default Compression test. Am i doing this wrong?

May seem like the dumbest question ever heard,

Here's my deal,

My motor's been running like crap the last day, found a bunch of fowled plugs, figured id do a test to see what outcome i got.

So i hooked my compression gauge up, hit the ignition, counted 4 turns, and read my gauge, read 150psi. I figured it might be hurting, but not that bad.

I tried just holding the key to it to see how high it got, and it eventually reached up to 180psi.

Question here, is if im holding it open longer, am i just allowing it to keep piling up compression and giving myself an inaccurate reading?

it hits 175-180 and it doesnt go past there after i hold it over for 10-15 seconds.

Just looking for some clarification here to know whether my motor's fubar'd, or just lower compression

All help appreciated.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2009 | 10:05 PM
  #2  
91ZLS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

Here are my readings i got.

Kept the key over for 10 seconds:

1 - 170
2 - 175
3 - 175
4 - 180
5 - 180
6 - 178
7 - 170
8 - 170

So, im thinking the motor is hurting. I dont have a leakdown tester unfortunately.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2009 | 10:33 PM
  #3  
WYD-01's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Default

your readings look great. What you don't want to have is more than 20 % difference between any of the cylinders. You are within 20% with the readings you posted.
If you had 1 cylinder that read about 144 psi, then I would be worried. That would be about 20% below your highest reading.

A leakdown test is a completely different test. It will tell you where you arer losing your compression.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2009 | 10:34 PM
  #4  
91ZLS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

Originally Posted by WYD-01
your readings look great. What you don't want to have is more than 20 % difference between any of the cylinders. You are within 20% with the readings you posted.
Exactly what i was looking to hear! Appreciate the help!
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2009 | 11:03 PM
  #5  
twitchtwice's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 1
Default

yeah what he said ^^

as long as they are all close to each other then there is nothing to worry about.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 10:06 AM
  #6  
Gen414's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (38)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, TX
Default

Originally Posted by 91ZLS6
Kept the key over for 10 seconds:

.

Next time you do one, don't do it for that long. Gonna burn starter up. All you need is a few turns of the motor. In the 3-4 sec range is all.

Also, make sure battery is strong. As a weak battery will turn motor over slow, and give you false readings

I also do test with all plugs out (to help starter out)

And as said, as long as all numbers are within range of one another, you are good to go (unless of course, they are ALL low ) Our motors (depending on compression, and cam, etc...) will make @ 160-190 cranking PSI
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 10:13 AM
  #7  
Kix's Avatar
Kix
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Gen414
Next time you do one, don't do it for that long. Gonna burn starter up. All you need is a few turns of the motor. In the 3-4 sec range is all.

Also, make sure battery is strong. As a weak battery will turn motor over slow, and give you false readings

I also do test with all plugs out (to help starter out)

And as said, as long as all numbers are within range of one another, you are good to go (unless of course, they are ALL low ) Our motors (depending on compression, and cam, etc...) will make @ 160-190 cranking PSI
Agreed... we always hook up a battery charger or boost pack to make sure we are cranking consistent speed during all cylinders.... and taking the plugs out is a great tip!
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 10:13 AM
  #8  
Old Geezer's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,639
Likes: 71
From: GA, USA
Default

All plugs out, throttle blade blocked open, inj's unplugged, 4 "hits", read the gauge.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 10:33 AM
  #9  
DaddySS's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Old Geezer
All plugs out, throttle blade blocked open, inj's unplugged, 4 "hits", read the gauge.

Reply
Old Jul 5, 2009 | 10:44 AM
  #10  
bczee's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,670
Likes: 6
From: Concord, CA
Default

Yes.. a fully charged battery is key, remove all of the plugs. Pull the fuse out for the Fuel pump and keep the throttle at WOT should give you the best readings. But 3-4 cranks should do it.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:38 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE