When unpacking, check to mak e sure all the parts shown on the Figure A on page 5 are
included. If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight T ools at the n umber
shown on the cover of this manual as soon as possible.
SAVE THIS MANUAL
You will need this manual for the safety war nings and precautions, assembly, operating,
inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures, parts list and assembly diagram.
Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front
cover. Keep this manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING!
READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS
Failure to follow all instructions listed in the following
1.Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered work areas invite accidents.
2.Do not operate tools and equipment in explosive atmospheres, such as inthe presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. T ools and equipment create
sparks which may ignite flammables.
3.Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating tools andequipment. Distractions can cause you to lose control. Protect others in the work
area. Provide barriers or shields as needed.
4.Stay alert. Watch what y ou are doing, and use common sense when operat-
ing tools and equipment. Do not use tools and equipment while tired or
under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention
while operating tools and equipment may result in serious personal injury.
5.Dress properly. Do not wear loose c lothing or jewelry. Contain long hair .Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from mo ving parts. Loose clothes,
jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
6.Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper
footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
8.Do not force the tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct
tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
9.Store idle tools and equipment out of reach of children and other untrainedpersons. Tools and equipment are dangerous in the hands of untrained users .
10.Maintain tools with care. Do not use a damaged tool. Tag damaged tools “Do
not use” until repaired.
11.If damaged, have the tool serviced before using. Check for loose screws,
misalignment or binding of moving parts, loose mounting, cracked or broken
parts, and any other condition that may affect its saf e oper ation. Many accidents
are caused by poorly maintained tools.
12.Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for yourmodel. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous
when used on another tool.
13.Tool service must be perf ormed onl y by qualified repair per sonnel. Service
or maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury.
14.When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instruc-
tions in the
Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions may create
a risk of injury.
“Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning”
section of this manual.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
1.WARNING! Do not e xceed the maxim um pressure capacity of this tool
(300 PSI). Exceeding the maximum pressure capacity could cause serious
personal injury and/or property damage.
2.
3.Maintain labels and nameplates on the Compression Tester . These carry
4.Prior to using the Compression Tester, make sure to read and understand all
5.When warming up an engine in preparation for compression testing, make
6.Always keep hands and fingers away from the moving parts and hot parts of
7.WARNING! The br ass components of this product contain lead, a chemical
WARNING! Use the Compression T ester onl y in well ventilated areas. A
are a colorless, odorless, gas that, if inhaled, can cause serious injury or
death.
important information. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a
replacement.
warnings, safety precautions, and instructions as outlined in the
manufacturer’ s instruction manual for the engine y ou will test.
sure the vehicle’ s transmission is placed in “PARK”, (or neutral for a manual
transmission) and the emergency brake is applied.
the vehicle’ s engine.
known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects (or other reproductive harm). (California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5,
et seq.
)
8.WARNING! People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before
using this product. Electromagnetic fields in close proximity to a heart pacemaker
could cause interference to or f ailure of the pacemak er. In addition, people with
pacemakers should adhere to the following: Caution is necessary when near the
coil, spark plug cables, or distributor of a running engine. The engine should
always be off if adjustments are to be made to the distrib utor .
9.WARNING! The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this
manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. The
operator must understand that common sense and caution are factors, which
cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied b y the operator.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1.NOTE: Performing a compression test requires the work of
two
individuals; one
person to operate the vehicle’s ignition switch while the other person operates the
Compression T ester .
2.The Compression Tester features a Hose Fitting that may be used for 18mm spark
plug holes and an adapter to allow it to fit 14mm holes. (See Figure A.)
3.To perf orm a typical compression test, prepare the engine for compression testing
by starting the engine and allowing it to warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Then, switch off the ignition.
WARNING! Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning! Never run a gasoline engine in an enclosed garage or other contained area.
4.Once the engine has been turned off, disconnect both coil wires from the coil of
the engine, and remove all of the spark plugs. Note: Insulate coil wires or route
them away from each other and all metal surfaces. Make note of which spark plug
wires go to each spark plug locations. (See Figures B and C, next page.)
5.If desired, attach the Adapter to the Hose Fitting. (See Figure A.)
6.Connect the Compression Tester to the first cylinder of the engine. With the fuel
pedal depressed all the way down, crank the engine for at least eight revolutions.
(See Figure C.)
7.While cranking the engine, observe and record the maximum reading on the
Gauge of the Compression Tester. (See Figure C.)
8.Once the maximum reading has been recorded, discontinue cranking the engine.
Then, release the air pressure in the Gauge by pressing the Air Release Button.
(See Figure C.)
9.Remo v e the Compression Tester from the first engine cylinder. Then repeat Steps
#6, #7, #8 for the remaining engine cylinders. (See Figures B and C.)
10.NOTE: Good engine cylinder compression will be indicated with a high initial
reading, and a progressive b uildup to the final maximum reading. Poor engine
cylinder compression will be indicated with a low initial reading, and a much
slower buildup to the final maximum reading. The compression readings for all of
the engine cylinders should not vary by more than 10%. Note: Check your
owner’s or maintenance manual for acceptable pressure ranges.
1.Before each use, inspect the general condition of the Compression Tester.
Check for broken, cracked, or bent parts, loose or missing parts, and any condition that may affect the proper operation of the product. If a problem occurs,
have the problem corrected before further use.
Do not use damaged equipment.
2.When cleaning, use a clean cloth with a mild detergent. Do not use solvents,
as damage to the Compression Tester ma y result. Do not immerse the Gauge in
any liquid. Then, store the Compression Tester in a safe, dry location out of reach
of children and other unauthorized people.
3.
WARNING! All maintenance, service, or repairs not listed in this manual
are only to be attempted by a qualified service technician.
Replacement parts are not available for this item.