Is it possible to compression test an engine out of car?

[Gentle Ben]

Could be a daft question but I could really do with compression testing the replacement engine I've bought for the Vectra.

I've looked at a couple of kits, but the all seem to require the engine to be turned over on the starter, which I can't do with the engine being stood on the garage floor!

So a) is it possible to do a test, and b) where can I find a suitable kit?

Cheers.

 

[aly b]

can you not put a starter on it ? even if it means putting the gearbox on? (not familier with a vaux set up)

 

[Gentle Ben]

It's got a starter on it, but with it not being in the car I can't crank it over on the key...

 

[Chris H]

as above stick a starter on it..

The other options and tbh the least successful is a big drill (I have used big 110V drills which you should have access to) on the crank bolt, with all the plugs out of course. Biggest issue is it will turn over slow but you'll get a reading and they should all be similar.

A better test is a leakdown test, no need for anything other than to turn the crank with a ratchet.

 

[Chris H]

It's got a starter on it, but with it not being in the car I can't crank it over on the key...

ffs i thought you were supposed to be an electrician?

 

[tucky]

put jump leads straight to the starter and give it a quick couple of turn overs,
and use a normal comp tester

 

[Gentle Ben]

ffs i thought you were supposed to be an electrician?

I am, but I treat auto-electrics as a different kettle of fish to everything else.

I'm sure jumping it straight from a battery is fine, but it's not something I've done before and in the absence of any hands-on assistance from anyone else I'd rather stick to methods I'm more familiar with.

 

[tucky]

fair enough

 

[Chris H]

it will crank over fine, it won't jump about or anything.

just some wires, put a push button on the solenoid circuit so you can sit on the engine if you want.

easy peasy lemon squeezy, japaneasdy.

 

[Gentle Ben]

I'm sure it is; I find working within a few mm's of unshrouded 11kV relatively easy, I'm sure there are a few out there that wouldn't.

 

[Chet T16]

Well then just run 11kV's to the starter, sure it'll be grand

 

[Soneji]

lick it

 

[JR]

:lol:

 

[Gentle Ben]

 

[PhilA]

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7fYjoNGPkI"]YouTube - Cranking Renault GTA engine over with compression[/nomedia]

Coupla jump leads and a screwdriver.

Fairly docile really. Easy to comp test with the manifolds off, ideal really as you need to do the test WOT on the starter.

--Phil

 

[minichapperz]

nice THUMBS UP

 

[PhilA]

haha