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Home >> Mitsubishi >> 2004 >> Lancer Evolution >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different variant/trim >> Section 18 (On-Vehicle Service - 2.4L (SPORTBACK)) >> On-Vehicle Service >> Compression Pressure Check
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Compression Pressure Check

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
  1. Before checks, check that the engine oil, starter and battery are normal. Also, set the vehicle in the following condition.
    • Engine coolant temperature: 80-95°C (176-203°F)
    • Lights and all accessories: OFF
    • Transaxle: P range
    NOTE: Vehicles for Canada, the headlight, taillight, etc. remain lit even when the lighting switch is in "OFF" position but this is no problem for checks.
  2. Remove all of the ignition coils.
  3. Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor connector.
    NOTE: Doing this will prevent the engine control module from carrying out ignition and fuel injection.
    Fig 1: Disconnecting Crankshaft Position Sensor Connector
    G00978613Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.
    WARNING: Keep your distance from the spark plug hole when cranking. Oil, fuel, etc., may spray out from the spark plug hole and may cause serious injury.
  4. Cover the spark plug hole with a shop towel etc., during cranking. After the engine has been cranked, check for foreign material adhering to the shop towel.
  5. Set a compression gauge to one of the spark plug holes.
  6. Crank the engine with the throttle valve fully open and measure the compression pressure.

    Standard value (at engine speed of 200 r/min): 

    1,560 kPa (226 psi) 

    Minimum limit (at engine speed of 200 r/min): 

    1,130 kPa (164 psi) 

    Fig 2: Measuring Cylinder Compression Pressure
    G00978614Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.
  7. Measure the compression pressure for all the cylinders, and check that the pressure difference of the cylinders are below the limit.

    Limit: 98 kPa (14 psi) 

  8. If there is a cylinder with compression or a compression difference that is outside that limit, pour a small amount of engine oil through the spark plug hole, and repeat the operations in steps 6 to 8.
    1. If the compression increases after oil is added, the cause of the malfunction is a worn or damaged piston ring and/or cylinder inner surface.
    2. If the compression does not rise after oil is added, the cause is a burnt or defective valve seat, or pressure is leaking from the gasket.
  9. Connect the crankshaft position sensor connector.
  10. Install the ignition coils.
  11. Use the scan tool to erase the diagnostic trouble codes.
    NOTE: This will erase the diagnostic trouble code resulting from the crankshaft position sensor connector being disconnected.