Compression Pressure Inspection
Note. If there is lack of power, excessive oil consumption or poor fuel economy, measure the compression pressure.
Scheme 11
Scheme 12
Scheme 13
- Make sure the oil in the crankcase is of the correct viscosity and at the correct level and that the battery is correctly charged. Operate the vehicle until the engine is at normal operating temperature. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
- Remove the engine cover.
- Disconnect the injector extension connector (A) and the ignition coil connectors (B).
- Remove the ignition coils (A).
- Remove the spark plugs. Using a 16mm plug wrench, remove the 4 spark plugs.
- Check the cylinder compression pressure. Insert a compression gauge into the spark plug hole. Set the throttle plate in the wide-open position. While cranking the engine, measure the compression pressure. NOTE: Always use a fully charged battery to obtain engine speed of 250rpm or more. Repeat step 1 ) through 3) for each cylinder. NOTE: This measurement must be done in as short time as possible. Compression pressure Standard: 1225.83 kPa (12.5 kg/cm 2 , 177.79 psi) (200 ~ 250 rpm) Minimum: 1078.73 kPa (11.0 kg/cm 2 , 156.46 psi) Difference between each cylinder: 98kPa (1.0kg/cm 2 , 14psi) or less If the cylinder compression in one or more cylinders is low, pour a small amount of engine oil into the cylinder through the spark plug hole and repeat step 1 ) through 3) for cylinders with low compression. If adding oil helps the compression, it is likely that the piston rings and/or cylinder bore are worn or damaged. If pressure stays low, a valve may be sticking or seating is improper, or there may be leakage past the gasket.
- Install the spark plugs. Tightening torque: 7.8 ~ 9.8N.m (0.8 ~ 1.0kgf.m, 5.8 ~ 7.2lb-ft)
- Install the ignition coil. Tightening torque: 9.8 ~ 11.8 N.m (1.0 ~ 1.2 kgf.m, 7.2 ~ 8.7 lb-ft)
- Connect the injector extension connector and the ignition coil connectors.
- Install the engine cover.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Suspect area | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Engine misfire with abnormal internal lower engine noises. | Loose or improperly installed engine flywheel. | Repair or replace the flywheel as required. |
| Worn piston rings. (Oil consumption may or may not cause the engine to misfire.) | Inspect the cylinder for a loss of compression. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Worn crankshaft thrust bearings. | Replace the crankshaft and bearings as required. | |
| Engine misfire with abnormal valve train noise. | Stuck valves. (Carbon buildup on the valve stem can cause the valve not to close properly.) | Repair or replace as required. |
| Excessive worn or mis-aligned timing chain. | Replace the timing chain and sprocket as required. | |
| Worn camshaft lobes. | Replace the camshaft and mechanical lash adjuster (MLA). | |
| Engine misfire with coolant consumption. | Faulty cylinder head gasket and/or cracking or other damage to the cylinder head and engine block cooling system. Coolant consumption may or may not cause the engine to overheat. | Inspect the cylinder head and engine block for damage to the coolant passages and/or a faulty head gasket. Repair or replace as required. |
| Engine misfire with excessive oil consumption. | Worn valves, valve guides and/or valve stem oil seals. | Repair or replace as required. |
| Worn piston rings. (Oil consumption may or may not cause the engine to misfire) | Inspection the cylinder for a loss of compression. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Engine noise on startup, but only lasting a few seconds. | Incorrect oil viscosity. | Drain the oil. Install the correct viscosity oil. |
| Worn crankshaft thrust bearing. | Inspect the thrust bearing and crankshaft. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Upper engine noise, regardless of engine speed. | Low oil pressure. | Repair or replace as required. |
| Broken valve spring. | Replace the valve spring. | |
| Worn or dirty valve lifters. | Replace the valve lifters. | |
| Stretched or broken timing chain and/or damaged sprocket teeth. | Replace the timing chain and sprockets. | |
| Worn timing chain tensioner, if applicable. | Replace the timing chain tensioner as required. | |
| Worn camshaft lobes. | Inspect the camshaft lobes. Replace the camshaft and valve lifters as required. | |
| Worn valve guides or valve stems. | Inspect the valves and valve guides, then repair as required. | |
| Stuck valves. (Carbon on the valve stem or valve seat may cause the valve to stay open.) | Inspect the valves and valve guides, then repair as required. | |
| Lower engine noise, regardless of engine speed. | Low oil pressure. | Repair or replace damaged components as required. |
| Loose or damaged flywheel. | Repair or replace the flywheel. | |
| Damaged oil pan, contacting the oil pump screen. | Inspect the oil pan. Inspect the oil pump screen. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Oil pump screen loose, damaged or restricted. | Inspect the oil pump screen. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Excessive piston-to-cylinder bore clearance. | Inspect the piston and cylinder bore. Repair as required. | |
| Excessive piston pin-to-bore clearance. | Inspect the piston, piston pin and the connecting rod. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance. | Inspect the following components and repair as required. The connecting rod bearings. The connecting rods. The crankshaft. The crankshaft journal. | |
| Excessive crankshaft bearing clearance. | Inspect the following components and repair as required. The crankshaft bearings. The crankshaft journals. | |
| Incorrect piston, piston pin and connecting rod installation. | Verify the piston pins and connecting rods are installed correctly. Repair as required. | |
| Engine noise under load. | Low oil pressure. | Repair or replace as required. |
| Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance. | Inspect the following components and repair as required. The connecting rod bearings. The connecting rods. The crankshaft. | |
| Excessive crankshaft bearing clearance. | Inspect the following components and repair as required. The crankshaft bearings. The crankshaft journals. The cylinder block crankshaft bearing bore. | |
| Engine will not crank. (crankshaft will not rotate) | Hydraulically locked cylinder. Coolant/antifreeze in cylinder. Oil in cylinder. Fuel in cylinder. | Remove spark plugs and check for fluid. Inspect for broken head gasket. Inspect for cracked engine block or cylinder head. Inspect for a sticking fuel injector and/or leaking fuel regulator. |
| Broken timing chain and/or timing chain gears. | Inspect timing chain and gears. Repair as required. | |
| Foreign material in cylinder. Broken valve. Piston material. Foreign material. | Inspect cylinder for damaged components and/or foreign materials. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Seized crankshaft or connecting rod bearings. | Inspect crankshaft and connecting rod bearing. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Bent or broken connecting rod. | Inspect connecting rods. Repair or replace as required. | |
| Broken crankshaft. | Inspect crankshaft. Repair or replace as required. |