Author Topic: Is this compression tester "worth it?" (Read 8373 times)

jackbombay · « **on:** January 16, 2007, 10:19:22 am »

Ebay auction Its certainly inexpensive compared to what I thought they would cost, I was expecting something more like this. I won't be using it a whole lot, there are a few old IDIs around here that need some "starting issue" troubleshooting. Anyone have the cheap ebay one? It looks like it has adapters to use the GP holes, is that the most common way to test the compression?

saurkraut · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2007, 11:05:09 am »

Its a compression test kit from Harbor frieght. Buy it directly from harbor freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93644

The picture on their web page is from an older kit. If you buy from Ebay, you get the same harbor freight P/N. the directions in the Ebay kit have the same P/N and clearly say Harbor frieght.

I payed more than $24 when these first showed up on Ebay over a year ago.

jackbombay · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2007, 11:08:11 am »

With $16 of shipping for the ebay auction and only $7 from HF it works out better from HF, Thanks!

Do you test the compression using an adapter in the GP holes? I also see adapters that look like they replace the injectors.

jtanguay · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2007, 11:57:04 am »

i bought the kit too... i bet you could probably test compression through the GP holes... but why bother??? you'd need to crack the injector line anyways... it would also be VERY awckward to get in there too...

jackbombay · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2007, 01:32:39 pm »

Ahhh, I was thinking of the TDI configuration.

Sounds like it'll do the trick, I'm getting it.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2007, 02:06:24 pm »

I just bought one as well, just make sure your IP is completly dry when doing the comp test. flame really screws up the schrader valve in the end of the adaptors. Experiance speaking here.

dan

LeeG · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2007, 11:58:15 pm »

simpler to pull the wire off the fuel relay than to drain the IP I think

Doug · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2007, 05:48:46 am »

Princess Auto carries a diesel compression guage with adapters to fit the injector holes. One of them in the kit fits the VW. It works well and because you remove the injector nozzle body there is no threat of fire or liquid contaminating the test equipment. It is definitely not as cheap as the Harbour Freight item. I can't imagine attemting to screw adapters into the glow plug holes on a 1.6. That one is just a pain in the ass to service even to replace the glow plugs!

jtanguay · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2007, 06:42:52 am »

hooking into the GP hole is easy on some models though... such as the toyota 2.4D engine (the gp's are right at the top

)

rallydiesel · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2007, 10:17:51 am »

So the HF version has adapters for the injector holes? Will these work on a TD engine?

Doug · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2007, 10:41:33 am »

Seeing as you live in Saskatchewan you will have a Princess Auto somewhere nearby. I have no idea about the Harbour Freight item. The Princess one does have adapters to fit other diesel engines but I cannot confirm the TDI VW. You might have to fabricate one using an old injector body from a TDI engine. The guage and kit are well made but you are going to have to lay out somewhere around the hundred dollar mark when it is on sale. While Princess does sell some cheap stuff of questionable quality, whenever I have had a problem, I take it back with the receipt. Money is refunded even after several years. So keep those receipts!

zukgod1 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2007, 02:48:08 pm »

Quote from: rallydiesel

So the HF version has adapters for the injector holes? Will these work on a TD engine?

Yes

dan

dieselsnowmobile · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2007, 02:48:56 pm »

Just remember to have new heat shields ready when you take your injectors out.

rallydiesel · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2007, 04:13:43 pm »

Where do you get heatshields from?

Doug · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2007, 05:34:40 am »

Go to Carquest and ask the parts guy to open up "Worldpac", or to NAPA opening up "Atrom" on their search programs. They carry this stuff.

Author Topic: Is this compression tester "worth it?" (Read 8373 times)

Doug

Doug

Doug