Author Topic: Can you recommend a diesel compression tester? (Read 6038 times)

vwmike · « **on:** March 17, 2005, 10:27:19 pm »

So, I was looking around at compression testers and I was just wondering if any of you could recommend one or another? I've seen several where they have adapters to fit the glow plug holes, but that seems like a terrible idea. I'd prefer an adapter for the injector hole. Thanks!

srivett · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2005, 10:31:51 pm »

I've got a Hastings that uses the injector holes and it works. I hear it is easy to bust the head when removing the injectors.

Steve

vwmike · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2005, 10:38:26 pm »

Quote from: "srivett"

I've got a Hastings that uses the injector holes and it works. I hear it is easy to bust the head when removing the injectors.

Steve

The problem I see is getting the adapter in and hooked on in the glow plug hole. It seems like the injector pump would be in the way. Where did you get your compression tester? how much was it?

srivett · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2005, 06:26:25 pm »

I think I paid 100 CDN plus tax for the tester. It is Hastings #1845 and comes with two Chevy glowplug probes and one VW injector probe. It goes up to 1000PSI and works quite well.

I agree that it would be nearly impossible to do a compression test on cylinders #1 and 2 through the glowplug holes so you have to be very very careful when removing the injectors.

Steve

vwmike · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2005, 09:13:20 pm »

Quote from: "srivett"

I think I paid 100 CDN plus tax for the tester. It is Hastings #1845 and comes with two Chevy glowplug probes and one VW injector probe. It goes up to 1000PSI and works quite well.

I agree that it would be nearly impossible to do a compression test on cylinders #1 and 2 through the glowplug holes so you have to be very very careful when removing the injectors.

Steve

Is this it? http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hm-performance/dicote.html

How is the quality?

janb · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2005, 09:59:15 pm »

last cam I got was $28

I do not know of an 'aftermarket-custom-grind' for diesels. Interference engines usually have a very close fit at high RPM. (Dynamics...) From what I understand there is not alot to be gained from cam work on an NA compression engine that runs pretty slow, comparitively.

srivett · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2005, 10:12:14 pm »

That's probably it.

The threads on the small chevy adapter are sub par but otherwise it's a good tool. It looks like the one adapter was made of poor stock as the threads are kind of blunt in spots. Very similar quality to my Equius gas compression tester.

Steve

andy2 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2005, 06:11:02 am »

Just remember that checking compression through the glowplug hole on the head will give you lower readings than through the injector on any IDI diesel.On VW IDI's for example the glow pulg adapter test would give you a reading of 350 psi after 5 cranks and through the injector it would be 400 psi I,ve consistantly seen a 50 psi difference between the two tests.

vwmike · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2005, 05:26:33 am »

Quote from: "andy2"

Just remember that checking compression through the glowplug hole on the head will give you lower readings than through the injector on any IDI diesel.On VW IDI's for example the glow pulg adapter test would give you a reading of 350 psi after 5 cranks and through the injector it would be 400 psi I,ve consistantly seen a 50 psi difference between the two tests.

Well, I'm trying to check it through the injector hole. The glow plug hole would be next to impossible.

vwmike · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2005, 04:59:03 pm »

Well, I ended up buying one from NAPA. It's a KD in NAPA packaging but carries a warranty so when it breaks I have someone local to yell at. At $104 it seemed pretty reasonable as well. The only gripe I have is the relief valve which doesn't like to seal. We had to pull the valve core out of one of the other engine adapters just to get done with compression testing my truck.

The Jetta pumped 475 all the way across. That is with 348k km (216k miles) on the engine. That is more or less what I expected to find as the engine runs perfectly.