compression tester

Post Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:01 am

Im thinking of doing a compression test on my e30, what the best one to go for?

needs to be around £15, is the halfrauds one any good?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65557#dtab

Post Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:48 am

just stick your finger in the plug hole and get your bird to turn the car over. save a fortune

only kidding btw, why do you think a compression test is needed?

Post Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:25 pm

yeah i tried but i only got 5 fingers so cannot do all six at the same time

the engine oil light comes on the oil level is fine, someone suggested doing a compression test on it

Post Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:51 pm

right i see, does it come on when driving or just when at idle?

Post Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:53 pm

when it idles mate, not sure whats going on, i parked it up for about 1 week and started it and the light was on

Post Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:50 pm

This worked for me:

http://www.thepowertoolcentre.com/shopd ... es&sppp=10

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:44 pm

I bought that Gunson tester from Halfords a couple of weeks ago. Worked a treat.

Martin.

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:52 pm

My Gunson/Halfords one has lasted me well for a few years

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:39 pm

i drove it for a whule yesterday and the light went off itself so all good for the moment thanks anyways guys

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:13 pm

Why would you want to check your cylinder pressures when the problem was with the oil pressure? or was it oil level?

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:27 pm

stonesie wrote:Why would you want to check your cylinder pressures when the problem was with the oil pressure? or was it oil level?

nah the level was fine, someone suggested doing one, was cheap enough so though i might as well, but luckly the problem solved itself

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:58 pm

noclue wrote:
stonesie wrote:Why would you want to check your cylinder pressures when the problem was with the oil pressure? or was it oil level?
nah the level was fine, someone suggested doing one, was cheap enough so though i might as well, but luckly the problem solved itself

I wouldn't be so sure - I'm assuming you mean the Oil light in the instrument panel was coming on, as opposed to the check panel? This has nothing to do with oil level, and everything to do with low oil pressure.

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:35 pm

djk wrote:
noclue wrote:
stonesie wrote:Why would you want to check your cylinder pressures when the problem was with the oil pressure? or was it oil level?
nah the level was fine, someone suggested doing one, was cheap enough so though i might as well, but luckly the problem solved itself
I wouldn't be so sure - I'm assuming you mean the Oil light in the instrument panel was coming on, as opposed to the check panel? This has nothing to do with oil level, and everything to do with low oil pressure.

to assume something is to make an ass out of u and me lol

it was the one on the check panel which has gone off now

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:40 pm

in answer to OP, yes that tester is fine, maybe a fiver too expensive.
Mine got this:
in PSI

C1 - 149
C2 - 150
C3 - 150
C4 - 150
C5 - 147
C6 - 142

+ or - 10PSI around 150 is supposed to be good - as far as i know

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:51 pm

If the oil level light in the check control panel was staying on with oil level dipping OK then the problem is with a sticking sender.The light not showing after a day or two's use confirms this. If the oil pressure light(orange,second from right)in the cluster is remaining on,or flickers at idle,you have an oil pressure problem,either the pump is shot,or main/big end bearings are shot.This is just a bit more serious and indicates that an engine re-build is looming,or get the turd on e-bay sharpish...

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:01 pm

i read on the zone recently that it is acceptable for the light to come on at idle.

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:30 pm

Brian Mooore said that according to the manuals it is acceptable, but I don't think I'd be buying anything that oil pressure that low.

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:37 pm

According to Bentley,idle oil presure should be between 7-28psi.I would expect the switch to be set at 5psi....so if the light is on/flickering at idle,you have a problem.That range looks very wide to me,BTW.

Post Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:48 pm

Try changing the oil for a thicker grade, maybe Halfords Classic 20W50 instead of the thin 10W40 stuff.

Post Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:18 am

daimlerman wrote:If the oil level light in the check control panel was staying on with oil level dipping OK then the problem is with a sticking sender.The light not showing after a day or two's use confirms this. If the oil pressure light(orange,second from right)in the cluster is remaining on,or flickers at idle,you have an oil pressure problem,either the pump is shot,or main/big end bearings are shot.This is just a bit more serious and indicates that an engine re-build is looming,or get the turd on e-bay sharpish...

must just be a sticky sender because the light is off now and the one on the dash never came on anyway