bearbalu

For leak down test, I guess I would have to take the entire engine to a shop without dismanting heads/valves...If I start working on my head gasket, it would be too late to do it... I assume leak down would be tough in garage... Balu

Gilles, Thanks. Engine is already out, I can't use the starter motor! I did get the plunger to put some oil into spark plug holes, will try out tomorrow and crank it with a breaker bar. I spoke with a couple of folks today - with conflicting opinions - one claimed you could do the test with engine out, another said otherwise! BTW, I had loosened the crank bolt before taking out the engine- 5th gear trick! I am glad I haven't removed the flywheel yet - undoing the crank bolt after cranking a few times can be tough! I am just wedging the flywheel with screwdriver to loosen the crank bolt. Balu

If you can't test compression outside engine, how do people validate the health of engine when they rebuild it? Balu

Gilles, Thanks. I suspect that it is the manual cranking with breaker bar. What threw me off is that cylinder 4 registered 70, while others whimpered. If it is lack of oil, wonder if it is just an accident that when I took the engine out, only cylinder 4 had some oil in it. How does one put some oil into cylinders? Through spark plug hole? Balu

Can compression test be done with engine removed? I am worried if I did something to hurt the engine. I tried doing compression test - opened the throttle body and put a compression tester tube on spark plug holes. Cranked the pulley with a breaker bar clockwise a few times for each cylinder. However, only cylinder 4 registered around 70. Cyclinder 1 did not register anything and 2 and 3 registered around 10. Intake manifold is still on, Exhaust manifold has been removed and so has been the air chamber. Timing belt is still on...I had drained engine oil which I realized after a couple of cylinders, I poured it back in, but it didn't make a difference. I removed the engine to do for blown head gasket/clutch/timing belt job. I know blown headgasket would leak compression, but I could drive on freeways - so it must have had reasonable compression. Would cranking with a breaker bar not register any compression? Thanks

Thanks folks. On second thoughts, I will do just as manual says, instead of second guessing!

I am working on Engine removal on my 98 ob, manual transmission, EJ25 DOHC engine. Subarau service manual says remove pitching stopper. On visual inspection, it seems otherwise - the bracket seems to be bolted to transmission, not the engine. Any thoughts? Also, same for air chamber stays - I don't see why I need to take them off.. Thanks for help.