The mechanisms that make a car move cannot be a simple one. Several components working in tune with each other, inter dependent on each other builds up a system that moves the vehicle and reach you safe to your destination. As a regular car user, you might find many of these components at fault, and at times, you might need an immediate solution. To avoid any such untoward event, where you might get stranded with your car or need to book a towing vehicle, we are here to explain you, how to use a car compression tester.
What it is All About
Your car that runs on an engine has an internal combustion chamber that is again consistent of four parts: intake, compression, combustion and exhaust.
Each of these steps need a precise timing of functioning by several components that are working together to make the engine run. All of these stages are equally important and play an integral role in making the entire process work.
The system is such that the car comes out alive to let you know in its own way that something is wrong. It could be any part that is malfunctioning, but here we would share few tips we got from the experts of the Edwards Air Force Base Cadillac dealership about how to use a Compression tester.
Diagnosing Compression Issues
Though the compression in the engine doesn’t pose any problem too often, but that can’t let us think, that they won’t ever. Hence, before something goes wrong with the compression, we need to stay alert and take the necessary steps to prevent it from getting damaged. this is because a compression repair does ask for an expensive treatment. Here comes handy the usage of a compression tester that can diagnose any issue arising in the compressor, much in advance.
The most commonly found issue with the compression is Low compression. A low compression in a car can be the result of many other problems and can again lead towards other problems as well. Starting from the wearing of the piston rings to the valves getting stuck to a blown head gasket or a broken timing belt, anything can happen. It might lead to a stage where your car doesn’t start at all.
Using the Compression Tester
You need to engage this tester on a cold engine. For this you need to first disconnect the relaying function of the fuel pump from the main wire that connects to the ignition coil. Once done, now you can start removing the spark plugs without damaging any of the bot ends.
Then start with the first cylinder 1 and push down the compression adapter into the hole of the spark plug. Here you will need someone to crank the engine at least for five seconds while you have to see the gauge. If it reads between 125 to 160 psi, it is normal and is read on most vehicles. Repeat the same procedure for all cylinders. If all measurements show lower reading, then you need the entire mechanical part inspected and repaired from a trusted place like Edwards AFB Cadillac dealership service center.