what compression tester should i get?

gj_fx1

gj_fx1

X-H2
I'd personally stay away from a no-name. It may work fine, but any time the numbers look off you'll be wondering about the gage.
 
Mouthfulloflake

Mouthfulloflake

ISJWTA member #2
Location
NW Arkansas
that guage will be fine.

even the cheap ones are accurate for a while, they just get lower and lower readings in my opinon.

you shouldnt really base your octane and NON -deto tuning on that compression number alone anyway right?

Ive got an old cheapy ive used for years, it works just fine, its been ran over, dropped, on fire... whatever.

use it to make sure the cylinders are even, and once you know how to use it, you can diagnose problems, and compare engines side by side with it.

OR, you can spend 10x as much for a snap on that does the same thing.
 
WAB

WAB

salty nuts
Location
coastal GA
Mouthfulloflake said:
use it to make sure the cylinders are even, and once you know how to use it, you can diagnose problems, and compare engines side by side with it.
Click to expand...

Same here. My cheapo always reads around 120psi and I know that's low. But as long as they read even, it's cool.
 
onesojourner

onesojourner

I use a thumb throttle.
Location
springfield, mo
I know a guy at a shop that I can go get it tested but I thought hey for 20 bucks I could just get my own. I dont really need it (at least not for 60 bucks)
 
K

Keith

Landlocked
Location
Nebraska
showmepro1200

showmepro1200

ISJWTA Member #007
Location
Jefferson City, Missouri
Keith said:
I use the same one. Even compared it back to back with a snap-on they were dead even every time. Like was said before use it to make sure cylinder pressure is even. Just about any guage will do that.
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Hmm, maybe I'm wrong, will keep the Craftsman one in mind when my old one kicks out. Thanks.
 
#ZERO

#ZERO

Beach Bum
Location
Florida - U.S.A.
I have two compression gauges, one is a new Snap-On set that coat around $215.00 and the other is one that I purchase about ten years at K-Mart for $19.95 plus tax.

Believe it or not they both give the same readings. :woot:

The K-Mart compression gauge has been loaned out more than a few times.
 
keefer

keefer

T1
Location
Tennessee
My craftsman is only good enough for checking if the cyls are even pressure. If I want a true reading I have to use the Snap On at a friends shop. I have found that the schrader valve will fail every so often and needs replaced. Prolly due to the gas/oil that destroys the rubber seal after a while. This is what causes the readings to be inconsistent.
 
Mouthfulloflake

Mouthfulloflake

ISJWTA member #2
Location
NW Arkansas
even the cheap ones are accuraet if you dont drop them or abuse them.

teh schrader valves are $1 each and easy to replace, just get one from an auto parts store.

ive replaced that schrader valve at least once in mine.. there are 2 I think, maybe if I replaced the other one the guage would be accureate again





keefer said:
My craftsman is only good enough for checking if the cyls are even pressure. If I want a true reading I have to use the Snap On at a friends shop. I have found that the schrader valve will fail every so often and needs replaced. Prolly due to the gas/oil that destroys the rubber seal after a while. This is what causes the readings to be inconsistent.
Click to expand...
 
keefer

keefer

T1
Location
Tennessee
I have 2 different Craftsman guages and both have never been dropped. They both read about 30lbs too low and getting them to seal is sometimes a trick. As I said before they are good enough to check for consistency. I have used a couple different Snap On types and they always read accurate. I am sure that some of the cheapo brands will read properly but to know for sure I would compare with a known good guage before I would trust it for accuracy.
 
hangtime

hangtime

Speak up ,don't kiss azz
Location
WORCESTER,MASS- HAMPTON N.H.
WAB said:
Same here. My cheapo always reads around 120psi and I know that's low. But as long as they read even, it's cool.
Click to expand...

I've been freaking out the past couple of days cause I bought an auto parts gauge for $40 and my SJ is reading 120 in each cylinder.

So your saying these gauges are not accurate :woot: :woot:
Thank god man I thought my SJ was on the way out :scared:
 
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