compression check on 6.9
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Joined: Nov 2011
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Glow plug holes on the 6.9's and both 7.3 IDI's and PSD's. Harbor Freight sells a compression tester that will work on the IDI's along with many other diesel's including my Cummins. They have one for around $200 which is a little on the pricey side but is definitely something I'll be getting here in the near future. They have a cheaper one that is like around $30 IIRC.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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Yep....gp holes sure would b easier. And that will give accurate read I presume? Well....here's the deal. We just bought the $33.00 kit from Harbor Freight and the specified adaptor doesn't want to fit... ( kinda like that youtube video? Was the guy looking at the wrong part, as were we, or is there something I'm missing here?)
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Joined: Nov 2011
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I have no idea on that one. I do know the correct method for testing compression on the IDI's is through the glow plug hole, but I don't know if you could do it through the injector holes or not. Sounds to me like either you have the wrong piece or its a defective piece cause it should fit.
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I would guess it must be defective. The old saying, " you get what you pay for..." I might as well return it and put the $ towards a new IP which may be needed. ( the video was "why not to buy stuff at Harbor Freight" ........???)
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Joined: Nov 2011
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It all depends on what you get from there. I usually stay away from the really cheap stuff. Now I did just get a set of punches from there yesterday for like $10. They have a lifetime warranty on them so why not.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: 8600 ft in Colo
You can use either the GP holes or the injector holes. The Harbor Freight kit does have an adapter for the GP holes, though there are many reports of it not fitting properly. I used the injector holes, mainly because I was changing injectors anyway, and I didn't want to risk a stuck glow plug. I couldn't find an adapter for the injector hole, so I made one from one of the old injectors...
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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Well rental yards around here don't rent them, NAPA either. Not too big a deal right now. Still have a couple other checks to do re bad fuel or bad IP...def don't need to jack up gp holes w bad tools. Thanks guys..at least I know it's not my imagination.
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Ohh yeh...THAT is sort of a pitb...not hard just tedious. Not mention the battery charger died. At least I am sure, now, that when I get to the comp test I know where to stick it..as for the bad fuel that I got rid of, will put in new 'flitter' before starting any more tests. It does look like IP may be too old to run the new injectors.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Des Moines
Just bought a set of these from E-bay. I use a compression tester MAYBE three times a year. It's a decent set for the money.
DIESEL COMPRESSION TESTER ADAPTER GAUGE VW MERCEDES NEW | eBay
DIESEL COMPRESSION TESTER ADAPTER GAUGE VW MERCEDES NEW | eBay