What are considered good compression readings for a
1972 911S?
I got the following readings a year ago:
45 45 45 35 40 45
thanks for any help here,
Mark Sutherland
What are considered good compression readings for a
1972 911S?
I got the following readings a year ago:
45 45 45 35 40 45
thanks for any help here,
Mark Sutherland
I'd always hear that the numbers themselves weren't as important as how close together in number each cylinder is. This because different compression gauges give different readings. Another informative test is a leakdown test. Did you have that done? Hope somebody else chimes in...because this about all I know.
Hi Mark,
Your compression readings are low, but just to make sure we're in the same ballpark:
Battery charged
All plugs removed
Throttle open
Engine warm
Crank engine and record the highest comp. reading after about 9 compression strokes
I believe you should be around the 130-150 psi range on all cylinders (it's been awhile since I did this on an "S").
If your readings remain about the same I would suspect your piston rings are rusted in place. You can also do the perfunctory "squirt oil in the cylinder and take another reading" test as well.
The good thing about compression readings of 45 45 45 35 40 45 is that they're all even :-).
Let us know if there's life in the S.
Regards,
Sherwood Lee
Sherwood,
I am assuming then that my readings were
145 145 145 135 140 145
The engine runs real strong and I think my mechanic would have informed me if I was 100 psi off!
Just in case, I will check with him and thank you for your reply.
Can someone elaborate on the leak down test. By it's name it sounds as if you pump air into the chamber and see how long it takes before you lose x% of the pressure.
In a nutshell, that's it. Test shows how tight the engine is by how fast it leaks air. A diagnostic test that goes hand in hand with a compression test. A good mechanic can often diagnose if there is a problem, and it's likely cause by using both compression & leakdown tests. Valves, rings, etc.
The "leak down test is the most efficient. The "acceptable" % is 12%. I watched my mechanic perform it on my '73S. My car was <2% on 3 cylinders, and <1% on the other 3. Anything under 3% is what mechanics call impressive.