I have a 1984 Chevrolet El Camino with a 229 V6. I recently measured the cylinder compression at 180 p.s.i. (+/- 5 p.s.i) on all 6 cylinders. What is the ideal compression for this engine?
- posted
20 years ago
I have a 1984 Chevrolet El Camino with a 229 V6. I recently measured the cylinder compression at 180 p.s.i. (+/- 5 p.s.i) on all 6 cylinders. What is the ideal compression for this engine?
Joe,
According to GM:
The lowest reading cylinder should not be less than 70% of the highest, and no cylinder reading should be less than 689 kpa (100 psi).
Perform the test with engine at normal operating temperature, spark plugs removed, and throttle wide open.
GMdude
I had all 6 plugs out, but the engine wasn't hot. It seems odd that they would suggest a minimum but not a maximum pressure.
"GMdude" wrote in
Perform the test with engine at normal operating temperature,
Joe,
That is not so odd. It's the minimum psi that is important for the engine to run. And the difference between the cylinders to run evenly.
GMdude
Is this a bad thing? If so, is it easily correctable?
And 180 psi IS over 100 psi, is that "ideal"?
"seeray" wrote in
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