The only efficient and accurate way to test for compression is with a compression gauge which resembles a tire gauge. The first cylinder is on the rightmost ones in most engines.
Longacre 73025 Engine Compression Tester Gauge
How to check engine compression without a gauge. If the compression is higher then you know its a piston ring problem because the oil will temporarily seal the rings to the cylinder wall. Heres how to use a compression gauge. The next step depends on the type of distributor you have. Look down on the engine to figure out which cylinder is closest to the front of the engine. If you find a cylinder with low compression put a small amount of engine oil into the cylinder and retest the compression. On vehicles with distributors.
Note the circular cylinders and the timing belt on the engines front. Pull the big wire that leads to the coil from the. I was told to try testing the compression of that cylinder but i dont know how to without using a gauge. A compression test is a good way to measure the condition of the rings cylinders and valves. With a compression tester a few hand tools and 20 minutes you can try this yourself. A spark plug socket will insert it easily.
If your engine is running rough or is lacking power. It is important to perform a compression test every time a tune up is done as part of preventative maintenance. Have someone sit in the drivers seat with the engine off the gearshift in park or neutral and the parking brake on. Symptoms of a compression problem can include hard starting erratic idling loss of power under load and hard starting when the engine is hot. If air is leaking somewhere in the engine you will notice a drop in compression. Consider doing a compression test.
Step 1 remove the fuel pump and fuel injection fuses. Those silver threaded pieces that came with your compression testing kit are adapters. Number 23and 4 act sluggish when i remove the plug wire from the plug but number 1 there is no difference when i remove it so i am assuming number 1 cylinder is not firing. They allow you to have the right clearance and other stuff to properly measure the engine compression in that cylinder. Remove one spark plug and insert the appropriate testing adapter. Put the compression test adapter into the engines first cylinder.
Disconnect the main wire to the coil and spark plug.