cal_look_zero Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 What kind of numbers should I be seeing out of the Legacy? I got 120psi on all 4; cold and dry. I thought I had seen 170-180 in a thread a browsed awhile back, but I can't find it and am not sure if that was warmed up, wet tested or what. Any help would be super. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Well, it's 156 - 185psi warm for those interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Compression is checked warm, throttle wide open. Compression will vary depending on outside air temp and density, but 180-190 psi is about normal. IIRC all 4 cylinders should be within 10 - 15 psi. Cold numbers are only useful to see if you have compression at all. 156- 185, are those your compression readings? Squirt some oil in the one that's low and see if it comes up closer to the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dballs Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 What kind of numbers should I be seeing out of the Legacy? I got 120psi on all 4; cold and dry. I thought I had seen 170-180 in a thread a browsed awhile back, but I can't find it and am not sure if that was warmed up, wet tested or what. Any help would be super. That's around the same as I got cold and dry on my 96 2.2. They actually ranged from 115-135 with around 275,000 miles on it. I traded it in at 318k and it was still running strong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 On a perfect EJ (normal compression, warmed up) you should see 185 on all cylinders at sea level. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Compression is checked warm, throttle wide open. Compression will vary depending on outside air temp and density, but 180-190 psi is about normal. IIRC all 4 cylinders should be within 10 - 15 psi. Cold numbers are only useful to see if you have compression at all. WOT? To what RPM range? Or just put it to the floor and let off a couple of times? 156- 185, are those your compression readings? Squirt some oil in the one that's low and see if it comes up closer to the others. Mine are all at 120 cold. Going to test them warm once I find out exactly how to read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 WOT? To what RPM range? Or just put it to the floor and let off a couple of times? No, no. :-p The engine isn't running, and shouldn't be allowed to even start when checking compression. Warm up the engine to normal operating temp, driving or idling doesn't matter. Shut it off and remove ALL spark plugs. Unplug either the cam and crank sensors (both of them) or the fuel injectors and Ignitor module or coil pack to prevent spark and fuel when cranking. Attach compression gauge, then hold the throttle pedal on the floor while cranking the engine. Crank it until the needle on the gauge doesn't go any higher. Should only take 3 or 4 seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 No, no. :-p The engine isn't running, and shouldn't be allowed to even start when checking compression. Warm up the engine to normal operating temp, driving or idling doesn't matter. Shut it off and remove ALL spark plugs. Unplug either the cam and crank sensors (both of them) or the fuel injectors and Ignitor module or coil pack to prevent spark and fuel when cranking. Attach compression gauge, then hold the throttle pedal on the floor while cranking the engine. Crank it until the needle on the gauge doesn't go any higher. Should only take 3 or 4 seconds. FML... My auto shop teacher will be getting an irate call about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 175 . your gauge has taken a death turn? do you have a Snap-On or MAC guage, not asking if you have anything else, anything else is junk throw it away and get what i say for good result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 175 . your gauge has taken a death turn? do you have a Snap-On or MAC guage, not asking if you have anything else, anything else is junk throw it away and get what i say for good result. Really? Crap, I guess the $200 Snap On tester I calibrated mine to was crap too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeky Moose Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 when i got my legacy with 97k on it it had 180 across the board warm of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 when i got my legacy with 97k on it it had 180 across the board warm of course... Nobody likes a showoff... I'm going to test it tomorrow. I had to get new plugs and wires. Kind of hard to warm up when it only wants to run on 2 cuz you ham fisted the wires and left the clips on the plugs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 I'm just lurking here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 6, 2011 Author Share Posted November 6, 2011 No, no. :-p The engine isn't running, and shouldn't be allowed to even start when checking compression. Warm up the engine to normal operating temp, driving or idling doesn't matter. Shut it off and remove ALL spark plugs. Unplug either the cam and crank sensors (both of them) or the fuel injectors and Ignitor module or coil pack to prevent spark and fuel when cranking. Attach compression gauge, then hold the throttle pedal on the floor while cranking the engine. Crank it until the needle on the gauge doesn't go any higher. Should only take 3 or 4 seconds. Thanks again for this. Lowest cylinder was 182, highest was 187. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Perfect range! Now... What is the reason you felt the need to do a compression test? Some issue with the engine, or just curiosity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Perfect range! Now... What is the reason you felt the need to do a compression test? Some issue with the engine, or just curiosity? Just acquired the car. Getting the punch list ironed out. One less thing to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Yeah those are perfect results. You can average that to 185 which is exactly what you should see. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal_look_zero Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 Testament to the awesomeness of the EJ22. 240k miles; perfect compression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I have a customer with over 270k - uses Mobile-1 at 5k intervals since he bought it new in '90. First production year - slam dunk for reliability. Superb engine design and implementation. With the proper maintenance they can easily go half a million. You could use one of his valve covers as a dinner platter.... or meatloaf tray :-p. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Yeah we just had a thread not long ago about a member who tripped 350k. As far as I know, he's still driving it 30+ miles to work and back over a mountain every day. Good ole Subaru. Found his thread. http://ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=122086&highlight=350k+miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ever Victorious Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 You could use one of his valve covers as a dinner platter.... or meatloaf tray :-p. GD note to self... never eat meatloaf at GD's house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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