C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Compression check numbers

Old Jan 17, 2009 | 04:47 PM
  #1  
Motohead1's Avatar
Motohead1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Rock Hill SC
Default Compression check numbers

I am working on a 02 Z bone stock. Water pump was bad and I think sombody ran it hot. Changed the pump left the thermostate out to see it slowly move north of 220* and the fans did not bring it down. No overflow or bubbles in the tank. I did a compression check and came up with these.

#1-180
#3-170
#5-170
#7-170

#2-180
#4-180
#6-200
#8-200

My question is what are normal LS6 dynamic compression numbers (warm). And is it common for the drivers side to go first? Im probly gonna do both sides anyway.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 05:01 PM
  #2  
thetaxman's Avatar
thetaxman
Race Director
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Default

5% variance is ok/normal I think

I usually do a leak down test , not a compression test , so I can find the problem quicker ( if there is one)
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 05:45 PM
  #3  
Motohead1's Avatar
Motohead1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Rock Hill SC
Default

Ok little update I redid the compression test after it cooled down and the drivers side went up 185 on all 4?

Pass side stayed the exact same.


I will do a leak down tomorrow and see if I can blow some air into a water jacket. Its probly #5 or #7.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 02:12 AM
  #4  
Last C5's Avatar
Last C5
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Default

My 01 Z ran + - 185 across the board on a cold engine compression test. Your number don't look that bad to me.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 05:58 PM
  #5  
ABNVET.I's Avatar
ABNVET.I
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,992
Likes: 0
From: Henryville IN
Default

About the same for me
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 12:58 PM
  #6  
Motohead1's Avatar
Motohead1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Rock Hill SC
Default

Ok well now Im kinda stumped. I just did a leakdown check on the driverside. all were 100/90 psi and I let it sit for a long time shoving 100psi in each cylinder for atleast 15 min trying to get some airbubbles or somthing into the water jacket. But nothing.

I would say it could be the sensor if were as complicated as the oil pressure sensor but its not its just a simple thermocouple.

Could it be a cracked head? where it only opens up when the engine is warm? Im not ruling it out as I have the best luck at getting these odd ball problems.

Im going to go do the pass side leak down and see if I find anything.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 01:23 PM
  #7  
jovette's Avatar
jovette
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Default

"Could it be a cracked head? where it only opens up when the engine is warm? Im not ruling it out as I have the best luck at getting these odd ball problems"

My experience has been that a cracked head typically leaks more when cold, and less when hot. Metal expands and seals the crack more, when hot...........maybe it's just a bad head gasket that leaks when the cooling system is under pressure?
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 02:41 PM
  #8  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Motohead1

I would say it could be the sensor if were as complicated as the oil pressure sensor but its not its just a simple thermocouple.
Actually, it's not. The ECT is a thermistor, not a thermocouple. A thermistor is just basically a variable resistor that changes resistance with temperature. You can check the sensor with a DMM, and use the temperature v/s resistance chart in the service manual as a guide.

So I take it you are troubleshooting an overheat issue. Besides change the water pump, and remove the thermostat, what have you done? What have you alleviated as a possibility? I would reinstall the thermostat..before you continue.

I take it you have already done a cooling system pressure test before doing a engine compression/lead down?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 04:49 PM
  #9  
runamuk's Avatar
runamuk
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Default

You do realize that if there is no thermostat in the engine then it will always overheat.

The thermostats main purpose is to keep the water in the engine long enough for the coolant in the radiator to properly cool down. If the water is constantly moving from the engine to the radiator it will get warmer and warmer and warmer.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 01:30 AM
  #10  
Motohead1's Avatar
Motohead1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Rock Hill SC
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
Actually, it's not. The ECT is a thermistor, not a thermocouple. A thermistor is just basically a variable resistor that changes resistance with temperature. You can check the sensor with a DMM, and use the temperature v/s resistance chart in the service manual as a guide.

So I take it you are troubleshooting an overheat issue. Besides change the water pump, and remove the thermostat, what have you done? What have you alleviated as a possibility? I would reinstall the thermostat..before you continue.

I take it you have already done a cooling system pressure test before doing a engine compression/lead down?
After replacing the leaky pump I filled it with water thermostat installed and burped the system of all air. stone cold it got to 220 in a hurry. Kicked the fans on with HPtuners and it slowed but kept climbing. I drove it down the road same thing it kept going north of 240.

Presure check was good and I did a leakdown of the rest of the cylinders. It was all normal.

Originally Posted by runamuk
You do realize that if there is no thermostat in the engine then it will always overheat.

The thermostats main purpose is to keep the water in the engine long enough for the coolant in the radiator to properly cool down. If the water is constantly moving from the engine to the radiator it will get warmer and warmer and warmer.
Yes but with the fans on full and only at idle and outside air temp of 30*f It should stay at somewhat normal levels.



Ok so i decided it has to be a gasket or head problem. I pulled the heads off and sure enough the 2 head bolts around the #7 felt a little funny coming loose. Probly only took about 40ftlbs to break those two bolts loose. The pass side head was normal coming off. Looks like it was just a gasket problem. I will drop the heads off to be checked tomorrow.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 01:35 AM
  #11  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Motohead1
After replacing the leaky pump I filled it with water thermostat installed and burped the system of all air. stone cold it got to 220 in a hurry. Kicked the fans on with HPtuners and it slowed but kept climbing. I drove it down the road same thing it kept going north of 240.

Presure check was good and I did a leakdown of the rest of the cylinders. It was all normal.



Yes but with the fans on full and only at idle and outside air temp of 30*f It should stay at somewhat normal levels.



Ok so i decided it has to be a gasket or head problem. I pulled the heads off and sure enough the 2 head bolts around the #7 felt a little funny coming loose. Probly only took about 40ftlbs to break those two bolts loose. The pass side head was normal coming off. Looks like it was just a gasket problem. I will drop the heads off to be checked tomorrow.
Good find
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Compression check numbers



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:43 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE