I did a compression test today using a diesel compression tester I bought at Harbor Freight. Engine was fully warm. I removed all of the injectors and heat shields. I cranked with the throttle all the way down until the gauge didn't move anymore. Here are the readings:

Cylinder 1: 200 psi
Cylinders 2-4: 220 psi

I tried it a second time on one cylinder after installing the other three injectors but that didn't make a difference.

These numbers can't be right. It's my understanding that once you're under 300 the car won't run well at all. My engine is tired but it's not that bad.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

Not impossible numbers. Could be right. When were the valves last adjusted?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Freshly adjusted valves and a new starter. My gauge also goes up to 1,000 psi. Maybe the gauge isn't accurate? Also, the attachment I used for the injectors wasn't screwed in all the way. I only screwed it in until it snugged a little bit because I wasn't sure the thread pattern was the same. Would this have thrown the numbers off?

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

down to 220 it will run fine but below that and you will begin to have trouble starting it. cold. i am not sure about warm.

even very worn diesels will run fine once started.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I think I would borrow another compression tester and re check before doing anything drastic, but those could be your numbers.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Is the adapter supposed to screw all the way down into you fuel injector hole? I don't think the threads on mine were the same as the injectors so I only put it a little way in until it started to snug. Maybe it was leaking and causing the numbers to be low??

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

An indirect injection diesel should not be able to start at all below 250psi.

according to my old chiltons from early seventies 218 i believe, cold is the minimum.

i tested a 220 once that had only 185. it would run but was tough to get started.

on the threads you should be able to get five or six turns in before it bottoms against the rubber gasket. you can feel the gasket which will feel much different than a stoppage from being cross threaded.

good luck

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.