Compression Test - Reading Results

[dbekk]

There is a clean 1991 Camry for sale with 150K miles. A mechanic has performed a compression test and the range is 128-132. (I do not know if it was hot or cold when performed.)

Would these numbers give you any cause for concern? I think anything below 140 is cause for concern but is that true for even a car with this many miles?

[Lee250]

My 86 camry with 224,000 miles has about 160 psi compression. So I would think those numbers to be a little low but it would make a difference whether the engine was hot or cold. I think the Haynes manual say the limit is about 130 psi. But as long as it runs good I wouldn't worry about it.

[Zembonez]

A lot depends on the gauge and whether the cylinders are dry or wet... hot or cold. What you mainly look for is compression that is fairly even (yours is) and well above 100 psi.

[dbekk]

Found out the compression was done cold. Are the numbers going to go up or down? And if so, how much?

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by dbekk

Found out the compression was done cold. Are the numbers going to go up or down? And if so, how much?

There is no way to know. Take it for a test drive - if it runs well, you are probably fine. The even compression numbers are more important than the specific value, especially when done cold.

-Charlie

[Doctor J]

Doing this test with throttle closed will yield such figures (saw it on my car)
compression test must be done with throttle FULLY open, gas pump disconnected, ignition off and from remote starter switch