[card00d85]

Can anyone link me to a guide or just give me a rundown on how to do this? I've never done it before, but I can do pretty much anything given that I have instructions.

Also, I'm going to autozone to purchase a compression tester (is that what they are called?). Do I need a certain kind or can I just buy like a cheap $25 one? Is there something I need to make sure that it has before I buy it?

Thanks guys.

 

[card00d85]

Hey guys I found a guide and it says that I must have the engine up to full temp? Does that mean I should go drive the car around, come back, then turn it off and then do the procedure? Is the engine supposed to be running when I do the compression test? What does it mean to "crank" the engine? And how many times do I crank it? Until the gauge stops moving?

 

[timm3r]

nope just get the compression test. My instructions weren't clear enough last time? here let me put it in step by step.

1. take off plastic valve cover
2. unplug all coil packs and take all four coils out, place somewhere safe
3. take out all spark plugs and place somewhere safe. to take out the spark plugs you will need a spark plug socket and at least a 8 inch extension for your ratchet.
4. screw compression tester into cylinder 1, get a friend to crank your engine while you read the gauge, turn the key on like you are about to start the car, leave it cranking until gauge stops, the car won't start because there aren't any spark plugs to start the car. once the gauge stops moving then you know what your compression is.
5. repeat on the rest of the cylinders. compression should be 220 on a 2zz.
6. If compression is lower than 220, then you should do a wet test.
7. wet test, take a teaspoon of oil and dump it into the cylinder through the spark plug hole. let the oil settle for a bit, maybe 1-2 minutes then redo the compression test.
8. if compression is still low, then you know you bent a valve, if compression raises, then you know you have bad rings.
9. if compression is still low after you do the wet test, then you need to do a leak down test to see which valve is bent.
10. put all spark plugs back, and put all coil packs back.

 

[timm3r]

yes you will have to have the car at normal running temperatures, just drive your car around then come back and start the procedure.

 

[card00d85]

nope just get the compression test. My instructions weren't clear enough last time? here let me put it in step by step.

1. take off plastic valve cover
2. unplug all coil packs and take all four coils out, place somewhere safe
3. take out all spark plugs and place somewhere safe. to take out the spark plugs you will need a spark plug socket and at least a 8 inch extension for your ratchet.
4. screw compression tester into cylinder 1, get a friend to crank your engine while you read the gauge, turn the key on like you are about to start the car, leave it cranking until gauge stops, the car won't start because there aren't any spark plugs to start the car. once the gauge stops moving then you know what your compression is.
5. repeat on the rest of the cylinders. compression should be 220 on a 2zz.
6. If compression is lower than 220, then you should do a wet test.
7. wet test, take a teaspoon of oil and dump it into the cylinder through the spark plug hole. let the oil settle for a bit, maybe 1-2 minutes then redo the compression test.
8. if compression is still low, then you know you bent a valve, if compression raises, then you know you have bad rings.
9. if compression is still low after you do the wet test, then you need to do a leak down test to see which valve is bent.
10. put all spark plugs back, and put all coil packs back.

Cool thanks man. So this compression test tells me if I have a bad ring or a bent valve, but it doesn't tell me if I just need a valve adjustment? I'm just trying to figure out what the ticking and humming sound is.

 

[card00d85]

Oh and is there a special spark plug socket or something? I've never taken these out, so I wouldn't know. If I go purchase one, do I just ask them for a spark plug socket or is there is certain size?

 

[timm3r]

there are two spark plug sockets, i don't remember the exact size but you need the smaller one. just ask for a spark plug socket. The compression test tells you what your compression is in each cylinder. It could also be a tool to tell you if you have bad rings or if you have a bent valve, but its mainly to see how strong each cylinder is running. If your compression is 220 across all four cylinders then you're good to go.

 

[My Sixth Gear]

Make sure that while you are cranking that you have the car at WOT.

 

[card00d85]

Make sure that while you are cranking that you have the car at WOT.

Ok so let me get this straight. I step on the clutch and gas pedal all the way to the floor and start the car (i mean start it as if it would start)?

I'm going to pick up a spark plug socket right now and do it when I get back.

 

[card00d85]

Ok I just got done, and here are the results...

250, 225, 240, 180

So I'm guessing the 180 means something is wrong?

 

[My Sixth Gear]

180 seems a little off the other 3 so you should do a wet test, by adding oil to the cylinder and then doing the test again, if the compression goes way up, you have excessive leakage around the rings. You can also do a cylinder leakage test if you have the right tester.

 

[Smaay]

how many times did you crank the engine? you must crank it the same number of times for each cylinder.

i guess ill do a write up on compression testing

 

[cicatrize]

Err...you should have told him to unplug the fuel injectors. -_-

Do the test again, this time unplug the fuel injector plugs. That will prevent your cylinders having a bunch of extra fuel in them. Also, when you're cranking, watch the needle jump on the gauge. I usually let it "jump" about 5 times, but like Smaay said, you gotta do it the same number of times for each cylinder to get an accurate reading. If your last cylinder is still that low, do the wet test with the oil in that cylinder.

 

[card00d85]

Ok I will do the test again tomorrow. The engine was cranked a different amount of times for each cylinder because someone told me to keep on cranking it until the gauge stops going up, and it stopped going up at different times for each cylinder.

When cranking the engine how exactly do you do it? I had my dad cranking the engine, and he would turn it and hold it for a couple seconds, turn it off, and then turn it again. Should it be just a real quick crank or should he hold it there for a couple seconds. I would appreciate if someone would explain the cranking procedure for me.
Also, where are the fuel injector pumps?

Sorry I'm a n00b with all this stuff.

 

[My Sixth Gear]

dont stop cranking till the gauge levels out, and yes fuel should be disabled before testing, it can throw off the readings.

 

[cicatrize]

When cranking the engine how exactly do you do it? I had my dad cranking the engine, and he would turn it and hold it for a couple seconds, turn it off, and then turn it again. Should it be just a real quick crank or should he hold it there for a couple seconds. I would appreciate if someone would explain the cranking procedure for me.
Also, where are the fuel injector pumps?

The fuel injectors are on the front side of the head, a few inches in front of the spark plug holes. You'll see four electrical plugs facing downward in a line; they're about 1/2cm wide, and 2 cm long. Pull those from the injectors below them.