10/08/2026
Ever wonder why we do a compression check on an engine?
A compression test is a pretty simple way to get a good look at what’s going on inside the engine without tearing the whole thing apart. As the piston comes up on the compression stroke, the cylinder should be able to build and hold a certain amount of pressure.
If the numbers are low, or one cylinder is significantly different from the others, it can point us in the direction of a problem.
Worn piston rings, cylinder wear, leaking valves, or even head gasket issues can all cause compression to escape. It can also help explain problems like hard starting, low power, rough running, excessive blow-by, or poor fuel economy.
And it’s not always about getting one specific number. We also want to compare the cylinders to each other. Consistent readings across the engine are a good sign, while a cylinder that stands out can tell us there’s something worth looking into.
It’s another one of those tests that helps us figure out what’s actually going on before making a bigger repair. At Dave’s, we’d rather diagnose the problem properly than just start throwing parts at it.