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Testing Made Easy: Relative Compression

A relative compression test allows you to check engine compression across all cylinders at once without removing spark plugs. The test involves using a current clamp and oscilloscope to measure starter motor current draw during cranking. Higher current draw indicates higher compression. Uneven peaks indicate one cylinder has lower compression than the others. The test is quick and easy to perform and can identify cylinders needing repair without removing components.

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Juan Alejo
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64 views1 page

Testing Made Easy: Relative Compression

A relative compression test allows you to check engine compression across all cylinders at once without removing spark plugs. The test involves using a current clamp and oscilloscope to measure starter motor current draw during cranking. Higher current draw indicates higher compression. Uneven peaks indicate one cylinder has lower compression than the others. The test is quick and easy to perform and can identify cylinders needing repair without removing components.

Uploaded by

Juan Alejo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tech Tips

Relative compression
testing made easy
Correct functioning of an engine depends on many things like correct sensor readings and good
functioning actuators. But the engine itself also needs to be in good condition. A relative
compression test can easily determine whether all cylinders of an engine have the same
compression. A.D.S outlines how to do this test easily with a scope.

A relative compression test allows you


to perform a quick check on
compression, without having to remove
the spark plugs, or glow plugs that may be
seized and difficult to remove.
A relative compression test uses the
starter motor current to determine the
comparative compression values of all
cylinders. The advantage of a relative
compression test is that no pressure
sensors are needed to check each
individual cylinder, all cylinders can be
tested at once, with just a scope and a
current clamp.
The idea of measuring current
flow to the starter to determine
compression is pretty simple. The
amount of energy (current required
from the battery) needed to turn
over the engine while a cylinder is in
its compression stroke, gives an

2
indication of how much that cylinder
is compressing, or leaking. The
current needed for one cylinder An amp clamp and a scope is all that’s
alone is really meaningless, but when needed for a relative compression test. The
you compare cylinders you can see if trace above shows a weak cylinder where

1
one is weaker than the others. If the the peak is lower than others.
compression is about the same in
each cylinder, good or weak, then
the scope trace will show even peaks. the scope software. Switch on the current cylinder is in its compression stroke.
Before performing the relative clamp and zero out the current clamp. If there is a lower (or higher) peak in
compression test, the engine needs to be Start the measurement by pressing the the scope trace, you can use a signal from
prepared so it will not start during start button or the hotkey S. Crank the cylinder 1, or any cylinder you choose, to
cranking. This can be done by engine for 2 to 4 seconds to record the synch with the current trace. The first peak
disconnecting something to prevent the current data. The relative compression test will be the cylinder you have selected, and
engine from firing. Connect the current is now ready and will look like figure 2. by following the firing order, you will
clamp (part TP-CC600) to the automotive The relative compression test in the quickly be able to determine which cylinder
scope with a lead part TP-C812B) and figure above shows a 4 cylinder engine has the abnormal compression. You can
place the current clamp around the wire with even compression across all of the verify the cylinder by selecting it and
from the battery to the starter motor (see cylinders. Some variations in the result of redoing the test to verify the abnormal
figure 1). The direction of the wire through the relative compression test is acceptable. cylinder is the selected one.
the clamp must be such, that the starter The higher the current trace on the scope
current will introduce a positive output is, the higher the compression is. A cylinder
voltage on the clamp. with lower compression than the others,
Open the compression test preset on will have a lower current draw when that

48 >> November 2014 AUTOBIZ

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