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As we talked about in an earlier post, there are many things that could lead to an engine failure or the need for an engine rebuild. One such indicator is low or no compression in your engine cylinders.
Quite a few things could lead to compression issues in your engine, so proper diagnostics is critical to solving your specific issue.In this post, we're going to cover some of these issues. Be sure to refer to manufacturer specifications or talk to your mechanic to find out if one of these might be the root cause of trouble for your specific engine.
Some of the indicators of poor compression are similar to that of fuel contamination—low power and poor fuel economy for example. You might also notice:
If you're noticing any of these symptoms in your diesel engine, it would be a good idea to run a compression test to see if low or no compression is the cause of these issues.
In many cases, compression problems can lead to the need for an engine rebuild, depending on which components of your engine it affects.
While it's good to know if you're experiencing low or poor compression, this is often just a symptom of a larger problem within your engine. There are quite a few things that can lead to compression issues, including:
This allows the compression to escape the cylinder where the issue is located.
When these rings wear or fail, compression can leak from the cylinder.
A broken valve spring allows the valve to stay open, which lets the compression leak out as well.
This creates a poor sealing surface, which can allow compression to leak from one or more cylinders, depending on the extent of the damage.
Issues with your camshaft prevent the valves from opening the proper amount, which doesn't allow for air and gasses to enter and exit the cylinder.
If this isn't working properly, then the camshaft isn't rotating at a proper speed, preventing compression from taking place as it should.
A hole in the piston would again allow for compression to leak out.
Low or no compression can affect one or all of the cylinders in your engine.
Running a compression test can help you identify where you're having your issue, as well as helping to narrow down what specifically might be causing your problem. For example, a broken valve can be a reason for no compression in only one cylinder.
Some common causes of low compression in only one of your cylinders include leaking valves, broken valve springs, camshaft wear, broken rings, or a bad head gasket.
If your test results are showing low compression in all of your cylinders, it might be caused by engine flooding, worn piston rings, cylinder glazing, poor air filtration or dusting, or timing problems.
No compression isolated to one cylinder might indicate a dropped valve seat, broken valve spring, dropped valve, broken valve, or piston damage.
If you're experiencing no compression in all of your cylinders, it might be caused by a broken camshaft.
Again, a compression test can help you narrow down where your issue might be. Running a compression test helps you to know how your engine is performing year-to-year (or however long you go between compression checks), as well as how your cylinders are doing compared to each other.
This allows you to isolate the problem, whether it is in one, two, or all cylinders.
A compression test can be run through the glow plug holes or the injector holes, depending on the engine specifications and the type of gauge you're using. Refer to manufacturer instructions for more information on your exact engine type.
If you think compression issues are causing your engine problems, you may want to think about an engine rebuild.
HHP has a huge inventory of rebuild kits—our ASE Certified Technicians can help you find the right kit for your diesel engine.
We are a one-source shopping experience with a huge inventory of replacement parts. You can call or shop online!
Most of our parts ship the same day, and are back by industry leading warranties—up to two years!
We're here to help you keep your engine working as hard as you do.
HIGHWAY & HEAVY PARTS ANSWERS YOUR DIESEL ENGINE QUESTIONS: REBUILD KITS
SIGNS YOUR ENGINE MAY NEED A REBUILD
DIESEL ENGINE FAILURE ANALYSIS: FUEL CONTAMINATION
We get it- when you need Diesel Engine Parts, time is of the essence. That's why we've developed the HHP Online Quoting System.
Just fill out the form with your name, engine information, and the parts you need, and our ASE-Certified Technicians will get back to you with an estimate. It's as close to magic as a diesel engine gets!
Originally Posted November 29, 2018; Edited January 29, 2021