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Opinion on compression numbers

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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 02:02 PM
  #1  
mrberg89's Avatar
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Opinion on compression numbers

Well folks after owning my truck for a year I decided to finally test the compression. Here's what I found

Drivers side front to back:
390
445
425
445

Passenger front to back:
435
435
410
435

Seems good to me, but the 390 kind of bothers me. Anyone think it's a problem? I tested because I'm planning on sticking a ton of money into her pretty soon (injectors, pump, radiator, suspension) and I wanted a good base to start with.

What y'all think?
 
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Old Nov 16, 2013 | 03:02 PM
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I would question the lowish cylinder as well, but realistically those are pretty good numbers. I assume the test had been done after the engine was warmed up?
 
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 12:08 AM
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I believe ford lists it as 20 or 25% from the highest to lowest number, so by that your good to go. Haynes says 260-440psi for compression.

If you want to go deeper into it, do a leak down test to see what mite be up with that cylinder.
 
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 12:32 AM
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I seem to remember reading somewhere that ford says 25% difference or under.

For having at least 230k miles I think she's doing pretty good.
 
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 05:17 AM
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Was the cylinder that read 390 the first one you did, and how long after it had last run?
 
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 09:38 AM
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Typically, 10% variation is the rule of thumb, unless you have the manufacturer specify 20 to 25%- so you are good to go.

I am assuming this is a dry test. Edit: Do not perform a WET compression test on a diesel engine- end edit.
 

Last edited by Dieselamour; Nov 17, 2013 at 01:22 PM. Reason: corrected iformation
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 12:24 PM
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Do not do a wet compression test on a diesel, it can either combust or hydrolock with liquid in the cylinder.
 
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by dsltech83
Do not do a wet compression test on a diesel, it can either combust or hydrolock with liquid in the cylinder.
I stand corrected. Thanks. I have performed a wet test several times and did not know this. I guess a leak down test is safer. Thanks. Edit: I guess anyone and his monkey cannot work on these trucks, lol.
 

Last edited by Dieselamour; Nov 17, 2013 at 01:29 PM. Reason: added comment.
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