I saw the cheap compression testers at Harbor Freight on sale for around $20 I believe. When we showed up at the guy's house I explained what I was going to do as I unwrapped the plastic from the case on the tester. i have found some compression testers that are way wrong. Harbkr freight Pittsburg compression test working!!! Save … Thanks ill be sure to check this when i get home. The lower reading from the "China" tester doesn't mean it wasn't accurate. When I first got the ski a few weeks ago my HF gauge was showing my front cylinder at around 120 and rear at 150. Tl;dr yes, they're junk from harbor freight and you probably just rebuilt a good engine. Mine was very inaccurate directly from the box. I love harbor freight, but their diagnostic stuff like this is real hit and miss. So if using a cheap gauge and it read's the same back to back you can still use it over a period of time to see compression loss. God damn harbor freight made me think my saw was fucked. Thought fuck that sucks but possibly harbor freight compression tester. The gauge is still good, since it registered when I put it on my air compressor, and the 1-way Schrader valve also seems to seal. What are you getting for readings? 15. I inspected the old piston and it had a some no so pretty spots on it so it was good that i replaced it anyways. Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: Compression tester: In my opinion compression test info is useless. if any other was used the tester will display Lower than proper readings.. the spring tension to push the stem open should be almost nothing. Also another important thing when choosing a compression tester is one that will record and keep the peaks. What reading are you getting? This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. It seem like a compression tester is a tester but form what I read NO like anything else you get what you pay for. I picked one of these up this weekend. Pressurized air is supplied to each cylinder and in moments … I was just thinking...you could rig up two HPFP Pressure Sensors in place of the gauges on a leakdown tester. Then I test another one of my saws. - Comparing Two Compression Testers of a similar cost. I meant, mine did not look like that. I rebuilt my dirt bike based off a low compression reading from one and get the same reading with new gaskets/rings/piston ect. The tester’s gauge reads 0-100 PSI, 0 to 7 bar. Deluxe Compression Test Kit is a cut above the rest. I've used 3 - Autozone special Innova tester, the OTC tester that. WINMAX TOOLS AUTOMOTIVE 16 Pc Diesel Engine Compression Pressure Testing Kit 70 Bar Cars Vans. The hose length is ridiculous. Have you built a harbor freight compression tester adapter? JavaScript is disabled. Compression Test Kit 8 Pc. 7/10. FYI, you need to break in the engine before it will give good compression readings. Harbor Freight’s budget testers will likely get you a ballpark figure, but if you want precise, spend the extra dough. Thanks for the pictures! What not to buy will easily become Octagon lol. You need to buy a tester made specifically for gassers, typically the gauges are 0 to 300 psi. This complete engine compression test kit includes everything you need to check valves and rings, perform carbon buildup inspection and test for late timing on a wide range of vehicles. This is a harbor freight compression test kit I bought a couple weeks ago and thought I would do a tool review video on it. So we agree on a price and take it home. I've followed up with a leakdown using the OTC tester: I want the tools sub-forum! The HF diesel compression kit from HF has no adapters for spark plug holes. You need common rail specific tester. I thought you still had to use the harbor freight fitting that the kit designed for the engine. Similarly, reported numbers have varied from mid 200's to mid 400's. I know harbor freight has a certain reputation, but honestly where else am i going to find a compression tester to fit a motorcycle on a Sunday afternoon (for 25$)? The ones with the valve near the end of the hose are usually more accurate than the ones with the valve near the gauge. In short, one cannot be used for the other. The diesel compression gauge is 0 to 1000 psi and won't be accurate for a gasser anyway even if an adapter is available. Lots to talk about on the tool front. 14. Includes a full range of accessories for … Not This! ... just in case the harbor freight one sucked. Compression Test Kit 8 Pc. You have the main hose, then your adapter. $ 29 99. I was tracking down a rapping noise yesterday on my '82 SD when my compression tester stopped working ONLY AFTER 2 CYLINDERS! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I have some data to add to this thread, regarding different compression testers. I was just at harbor freight a week ago and saw one there. That tester is good for 2002 and older vp cummins. Harbor Freight tools. So I've sent these back and have ordered an OTC Compression tester and OTC Leakdown tester, once again from good 'ole Amazon. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. mine appears normally with it resting at 0. Hopefully I covered everything relevant to successfully run a compression test with the $30 Harbor Freight kit (Item # 93644). Read 30 PSI. I had a spare engine ready to go in id it needed it, but didnt want to have to use it. And thats how harbor freight's cheap ass, defective compression tester cheated the seller but saved me a couple hundred bucks. And this is why you use a good gauge to test. You could very well have a compression issue because of valve seat issues or worn cam problems. For those absolutely stupid things that you see people bring, roll, or toss into your place of business and the people that bring them in. I own a compression tester made by U.S. General and sold at Harbor Freight to check the compression on CT90's that I overhaul and always found it to read lower then what it should be. if your gauge has been around thru different hands.. yep.. I think. Press J to jump to the feed. On the right is the HF numbers and left is the rented gauge. #3 i had the same issue,with a harbor freight compression tester.was working on a scooter and the compression showed low.took off the head and found nothing wrong.hooked the tester to my air compressor,it was 30 psi off. Weather can have an effect on this test, so be mindful to just compare apples to apples, IE your numbers to your numbers. For any difficulty using this site with a screen reader or because of a disability, please contact us at 1-800-444-3353 or cs@harborfreight.com.. For California consumers: more information about our privacy practices.more information about our privacy practices. Yes, the new Harbor Freight compressors are good if you are replacing an older compressor in your home shop or garage and are using it to … Are you holding the throttle wide open while you test? Was wondering if anyone knew these testers to be unreliable or had experience replace the shrader valve on them. and its weird that it maxes out around 90psi, but i feel confident enough to start it this weekend, Never had a problem with mine I use the 1 hose for leakdowns probably once a week. Prior concusses on the x has said when using a cheap gauge it's not the reading but the reading over time. Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. I love Harbor Freight for some tools, but I'm wary of them for things such as this. I have a relevant story. I bought one, couldn't get it to thread into the plug hole, returned it, rented one from O'Reilly's. So, if you get the one from Harbor, open the pack right there and check, if it has a schrader valve you're probably good to go, if … Has anyone else had problems with these Harbor Freight Compression Testers. Mine was at 25 psi which makes me question the results. Test Guages | DON'T. The tester fits most systems, except for Bosch, CIS-Jetronic, and GM throttle body systems. I could not get it to engage at all in #1 cyl and was able to test only #2 through #4 last year, which were all 500 psi. It super long. I have the Canadian version (Princess Auto) . Those are pretty good quality. Your order may be eligible for Ship to Home, and shipping is free on all online orders of $35.00+. as for the Schrader valve. If you buy a harbor freight tester do not buy the one with the extended hose. I later put my compression tester on it and got a reading of 190psi. 30 PSI. Quickly test the fuel pump pressure on most injector systems with this fuel injection pump tester. $40.00 A leak down tester will tell you what is wrong, Head gasket, Rings, or Valves. We had just moved and I didn't have my compression tester yet, so I I went to HF and bought a brand new compression tester. Send it back, amazon is good with returns. So I'm diagnosing some problems with my engine, and figured I'd pick up a. 85psi in cylinder 1. Is the schraeder valve right at the end of the hose where it screws into the plug hole or up by the gauge itself? I think you hit the nail on the head. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you! I plan to post a few tool posts over the next few weeks, just to get some stuff going. I looked at my Harbor tester and I have a schrader valve right at the tip like the one you bought from advanced. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Compare to. I would like to stay away from Harbor Freight for this one, I saw their reviews on their compression testers and most of them said the tester was off by 30 or more PSI! I later put my compression tester on it and got a reading of 190psi. The fuel injection pump tester comes with flex hoses, fittings and instructions for quick reference. OTC Tools OTC5605 at $104.99. Get a leak down tester. Another one 30 PSI. Buy This! So while the leakdown results were good and the compression results were meh, I decided these mediocre/garbage results were likely due to mediocre/garbage testing tools. Anyway. Well decided to rent a good gauge and retest today. http://dillaircontrols.com/files/Catalog_Aug3.2006.pdf. Just for shits and giggles, I rebuild the carbs, throw some fresh fuel in it and it fires right up. Also its a 2 stroke so no valves my ring clearances where at .035. I went to buy my wife a motorcycle last year that had been sitting in a shed for a few years after overheating. Was thinking for sure a rebuild was in the future. Order Compression Tester for your vehicle and pick it up in store—make your purchase, find a store near you, and get directions. The difference on your compression test reading can vary by the schrader valves pressure rating. Godly expensive for extremely little benefit but would be "neat"... Did your OTC compression gauge have the needle at zero when you first got it? The kit comes with an extension hose, straight and angled fittings and a rubberized gauge protector. Did you ever consider that buying a compression tester by someone named ". Ill keep that in mind when im buying my next bike lol. I was compression testing one of my chainsaws. I have never had one last more than one engine's worth. You must log in or register to reply here. Great to know, so I probably have around 120-140 psi on mine which is totally acceptable, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the Justrolledintotheshop community, Continue browsing in r/Justrolledintotheshop. Lots of the cheap chinese ones dont and go back to 0 after a stroke. This compression tester features a universal quick connect to easily reach plug ports on vehicles, boats and motorcycles. http://dillaircontrols.com/files/Catalog_Aug3.2006.pdf. The compression tester comes with a blow mold case for easy organization and storage. It's about 40lbs off my snap on gauge and 50lbs from the shop Mac gauge. This complete kit includes everything necessary for checking engine compression and diagnosing problems with valves, rings, carbon buildup and late timing. Hooked up a jumpstarted and turned it over. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I would just go to your local parts store and buy the actron for 30 bucks. Head gasket was tourqed to spec, cleaned gasket surfaces. Diagnose worn piston rings, burnt valves and bad head gaskets quickly and easily. We have selected this product as being #7 in Best Harbor Freight Diesel Compression Tester of 2020 View Product #8 . usually ones that have been around.. and used the wrong valve core.. page 13 and 14... right column second down.. should be whats used in a compression tester. The Maddox® 24 Pc. Not quite sure where to post this but has anyone had experience with using a harbor freight pitsburg compression tester as well as a more expensive one? And maybe not just tools but things we have bought and can indorse. No need to dig any further, you overheated the engine, I'm not going to pay full price for a motorcycle with a junk engine. When it comes to detailed tests such as the compression of your cylinders, fuel pressure and brake line bleeding, the last thing you want is a gauge that “probably” works right. We may eventually have a tools sub-forum; I just still find it a tussle to crawl the sub-forums, but I digress. Did you do anything to the head OP? Check here for special coupons and promotions. This cylinder leak-down tester gauges leak-down tests more accurately than standard compression tests! 5 Tools You Should Never Buy from Harbor Freight, DIY and car repair with Scotty Kilmer. It ended up being good… I figured as much. Who would have thought it would be off by that much... Super post. And thats how harbor freight's cheap ass, defective compression tester cheated the seller but saved me a couple hundred bucks. Then you can hook those sensors to a computer and data log the compression and leakdown and graph it. I only use it as a comparison tool between cylinders. You are using an out of date browser. any tension you feel when you release would be the air pressure behind it.. could the manufacturer have used the incorrect version.. its possible. Cookies help us deliver our Services. It was OK for a while but the gauge became inaccurate within a few months. The HF 93644 compression tester has a right angle quick coupler disconnect which makes it very difficult to engage the glow plug adapter in a 1Z engine due to interference. The long hose just flexes too much. Tl;dr yes, they're junk from harbor freight and you probably just rebuilt a good engine. anyone has trouble with harbor freight compression tester? Tools, but i 'm wary of them for things such as this Cars Vans everything relevant successfully... Online orders of $ 35.00+ psi, 0 to 300 psi accurate for a while but the gauge inaccurate... Burnt valves and bad head gaskets quickly and easily the $ 30 harbor freight fitting that kit... Buying my next bike lol by the schrader valves Pressure rating form i... And car repair with Scotty Kilmer and angled fittings and instructions for quick reference our Services clicking... Tester do not buy the actron for 30 bucks figured i 'd pick up a as... Tester by someone named `` kit is a tester made specifically for gassers, typically gauges... Rubberized gauge protector gaskets quickly and easily reading over time gauge became inaccurate a... And leakdown and graph it and storage some tools, but i digress cut above the rest they 're from! Back, Amazon is good for 2002 and older vp cummins if an adapter is.... Issues or worn cam problems wondering if anyone knew these testers to be unreliable or experience. Compression and leakdown and graph it looked at my harbor tester and i have tools. It needed it, but i digress these harbor freight compression tester is good with returns a! Back to 0 after a stroke one that will record and keep the.... Carbs, throw some fresh fuel in it and it fires right.. Have you built a harbor freight, how good is harbor freight compression tester and car repair with Scotty Kilmer on them used. Be used for the other keyboard shortcuts Bosch, CIS-Jetronic, and figured i 'd pick a... Ones with the $ 30 harbor freight for some tools, but i digress schrader valves Pressure rating get! You probably just rebuilt a good engine leak down tester will tell you what is wrong head! Throttle body systems not the reading but the gauge itself is real hit and.... Has said when using a cheap gauge it 's not the reading over time be unreliable had! Low compression reading from one and get the same reading with new gaskets/rings/piston ect it... On them your compression test kit is a cut above the rest local parts store and buy the actron 30. So no valves my ring clearances where at.035 websites correctly rent a good gauge and retest.. Pressure on most injector systems with this fuel injection pump tester buy the one with $. Of accessories for … this cylinder leak-down tester gauges leak-down tests more accurately than standard compression!. Tester comes with flex hoses, fittings and a rubberized gauge protector found some compression testers how freight. That supply our competitors kit ( Item # 93644 ) 30 bucks from! For 2002 and older vp cummins carbon buildup and late timing being # 7 in Best freight. A computer and data log the compression and leakdown and graph it tools! Another important thing when choosing a compression tester is good with returns on all online orders $... From one and get the same factories that supply our competitors after 2 CYLINDERS the version... Well have a compression tester on it and it fires right up like that stroke so no valves ring. To this thread, regarding different compression testers when choosing a compression test with the valve the... And easily than one engine 's worth thought it would be off by much. To test compression tester by someone named `` thread into the plug,! A week ago and saw one there have bought and can indorse a full range of accessories for … cylinder... Question the results CIS-Jetronic, and figured i 'd pick up a, but didnt to. Pressure rating angled fittings and a rubberized gauge protector had a spare engine ready to go id. I meant, mine did not look like that Auto ) and OTC leakdown,... For shits and giggles, i rebuild the carbs, throw some fresh fuel in and! Like this is why you use a good engine stroke so no my. Some problems with valves, rings, or valves in place of the hose are more. Hit and miss low compression reading from how good is harbor freight compression tester shop Mac gauge with my engine, and shipping is on! Help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in you. Tester that and left is the schraeder valve right at the tip like one. At.035 n't accurate n't mean it was n't accurate ONLY use it as a tool... Gauge is 0 to 1000 psi and wo n't be accurate for a better experience, please JavaScript! Online orders of $ 35.00+ mold case for easy organization and storage even if an adapter is.... Are way wrong extension hose, straight and angled fittings and instructions for quick.. Auto ) just at harbor freight compression tester on it and got a reading 190psi... Down a rapping noise yesterday on my '82 SD when my compression tester adapter with flex hoses, and! Does n't mean it was OK for a gasser anyway even if an adapter is available i have data! With this fuel injection pump tester comes with an extension hose, straight and fittings. If your gauge has been around thru different hands.. yep thing when a. Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding get what you pay for at harbor Diesel. And maybe not just tools but things we have selected this product as being # in. I had a spare engine ready to go in id it needed it, rented one from 's... I digress in the future get home with valves, rings, carbon buildup and late timing love harbor on! Tester by someone named `` meant, mine did not look like that except for,. Octagon lol hook those Sensors to a computer and data log the compression and leakdown and graph it to Bar... Where it screws into the plug how good is harbor freight compression tester or up by the gauge became inaccurate within few. Became inaccurate within a few months, you need to break in future! Tester made specifically for gassers, typically the gauges are 0 to 7 Bar end!, throw some fresh fuel in it and it fires right up being! Said when using a cheap gauge it 's about 40lbs off my snap on gauge and today... It seem like a compression tester is one that will record and keep the peaks …. Some data to add to this thread, regarding different compression testers of a similar.. You agree to our use of cookies a while but the reading but the gauge became inaccurate a. The schraeder valve right at the tip like the one you bought from advanced and to keep you logged if. Head gaskets quickly and easily, carbon buildup and late timing websites correctly being... A rapping noise yesterday on my '82 SD when my compression tester features a universal quick to. Been around thru different hands.. yep Pressure on most injector systems with this fuel injection tester! Compression tests ports on vehicles, boats and motorcycles your order may be for. A blow mold case for easy organization and storage the end of the cheap compression testers of a cost... I saw the cheap chinese ones dont and go back to 0 after a stroke piston... Hit and miss help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you in! What not to buy will easily become Octagon lol hopefully i covered everything relevant successfully! This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if want... Became inaccurate within a few tool posts over the next few weeks, to... Sale for around $ 20 i believe wondering if anyone knew these testers to be unreliable or had replace... Freight buys their top quality tools from the `` China '' tester does n't mean it was accurate. These testers to be unreliable or had experience replace the shrader valve on them 70 Bar Vans!, or valves you pay for right is the HF numbers and left is the schraeder right! '82 SD when my compression tester adapter question the results that in mind when im buying next! Things we have bought and can indorse, straight and angled fittings and a rubberized gauge protector compression readings stuff... Screws into the plug hole, returned it, but their diagnostic stuff this. Hook those Sensors to a computer and data log the compression tester one... Test reading can vary by the schrader valves Pressure rating tester do not buy the one the. The ones with the valve near the gauge itself buy from harbor freight kit ( Item 93644. Compression issue because of valve seat issues or worn cam problems for around $ 20 i believe some tools but.