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Zetec silvertop compression test
AlexXtreme - 23/3/19 at 10:09 PM

I have been putting putting off testing the compression on my 1.8 silvertop for some reason. Had a slight misfire when cold and had a feeling that it was something serious. .. so did not want to find out it was something serious!
Anyway I have 2 cylinders at 165psi and 2 at 170psi with a slightly loose compression tester (with poor the adapter I could not tighten it up on each cylinder). No idea on how many miles the engine has done. I think around 50k.
Does this sound OK? The engine had been run but had stopped around 45mins before I tested the compression.


rusty nuts - 24/3/19 at 07:17 AM

I wouldn’t be concerned with those figures but I had a Zetec engine with a lumpy idle that had had the compressions tested several times, passed emissions test etc that when tested with a cylinder leakage tester showed a burnt inlet valve.


perksy - 24/3/19 at 09:07 AM

The readings are within 10% of each other which is good

Leakdown is the best way of testing

Test should really be done with a wide open throttle and with an engine at normal operating temp


AlexXtreme - 24/3/19 at 09:19 AM

It was wide open throttle though it had cooled a bit as I could not find the adapter for the compression tester in my garage..
My thought was as there was little difference between the values the slightly lower than expected was due to the temperature rather than anything else.


perksy - 24/3/19 at 09:26 AM

To be fair as their within 10% of each other I wouldn't be worrying

Is the Zetec on carbs or injection?

You've already checked plugs & leads?

In a previous thread you mentioned moving the Coil pack, Have you done this and are you happy with the wiring etc ??


[Edited on 24/3/19 by perksy]


AlexXtreme - 24/3/19 at 12:15 PM

Built leads from scratch and measured resistance so know they OK. Plugs are pretty new and adjusted.

Carbs (twin webers) and after re-balancing them, the tickover seems now OK. Why do they go out so quickly and it is always the same pair :-0?


falcor75 - 24/3/19 at 12:47 PM

165 and 170 are close enough to not be an issue. Do a leakdown test, even if the engine is cold you can identify potential leaks. Found a crooked exhaust valve on the #3 cylinder on one of my aircooled engines that way.


AlexXtreme - 24/3/19 at 01:09 PM

I won't be doing this now but for my information, how do you do a leak down test without an air compressor?


britishtrident - 24/3/19 at 03:11 PM

If it is a Silver Top misfire from cold start can be due to hydraulic tappet jacking especially in cold weather. They are very sensitive to oil grade.


britishtrident - 24/3/19 at 04:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by AlexXtreme
I won't be doing this now but for my information, how do you do a leak down test without an air compressor?


It can be done with a 12v tyre inflator as long as it is a heavy duty one usually sold as "4x4" or suitable for "off road"
The leakdown tester I now use is an AM Pro brand it wasn't expensive from eBay these days I tend just to do a cranking compression test with an oscilloscope.