Best compression tester

Icculus · 01-31-2008, 10:36 AM

Sorry if its a repost but search didn't turn up exactly what i was looking for. As I own a "notorious at this point" 07 I wanted to do a compression test. I was looking around for testers and pretty much decided on this one

Craftsman Compression Test Kit - Model 47089 at Sears.com

It seemed like the middle of road in price. I know I've heard of some people using the Actron ones but I figured its a "get what you pay for" kinda deal. Can anyone recommend a specific brand or perhaps ones I should steer clear of. Thx

modaddict · 01-31-2008, 03:55 PM

You're looking for a "relative" across the board. How accurate the "numbers" are as far as comparing them against the shop manual isn't something I care about.

You just need to be consistent across the board, even if 1 gauge gets you 125psi, and another brand gets you 140psi. (I doubt it though)

jarvis210 · 02-01-2008, 01:56 AM

snap on makes a nice compression tester....

ninjaboy76 · 02-01-2008, 02:15 AM

When I checked my 04 STI I used two different cheap ones and my friends Snap On one. All of them read the exact same.

Good2Go · 02-01-2008, 05:54 AM

Save yourself some money and get this one.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

It is comparable to the Craftsman. Don't assume the Craftsman has a super accurate gauge just because it is more expensive. If you are concerened about guage accuracy (I wouldn't be), you could swap out a much more accurate guage for less than the price difference.

This thread should be in the tools discussion forum.

mxpop · 02-01-2008, 06:13 AM

Snap on is best but the Craftsman is totaly acceptable. I'm often disapointed with the quality of Harbor frieght, even tho the $$$ is tempting. As noted before, it's more about the consistency of the readings than the specific #s you get. If you really want to get useful info, get a good leak down detector as well.

Shakes · 02-16-2008, 06:21 PM

I've got a MAC compression tester that you are welcome to come over and use.

01-31-2008, 10:36 AM	#1
Icculus Silver Member Car: 07 SWP STi Fav Mod: AP Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 409 Join Date: Oct 2007 Trader Rating: (4)	Best compression tester Sorry if its a repost but search didn't turn up exactly what i was looking for. As I own a "notorious at this point" 07 I wanted to do a compression test. I was looking around for testers and pretty much decided on this one Craftsman Compression Test Kit - Model 47089 at Sears.com It seemed like the middle of road in price. I know I've heard of some people using the Actron ones but I figured its a "get what you pay for" kinda deal. Can anyone recommend a specific brand or perhaps ones I should steer clear of. Thx This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

01-31-2008, 03:55 PM	#2
modaddict Spec C Club Car: 04 Crawford STi Fav Mod: CP35r 440whp Location: pasco, WA Posts: 1,828 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Best compression tester You're looking for a "relative" across the board. How accurate the "numbers" are as far as comparing them against the shop manual isn't something I care about. You just need to be consistent across the board, even if 1 gauge gets you 125psi, and another brand gets you 140psi. (I doubt it though)

02-01-2008, 01:56 AM	#3
jarvis210 Senior STI Driver Car: 04 SUBARU WRX sti Fav Mod: JDM FOGS Posts: 362 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Best compression tester snap on makes a nice compression tester....

02-01-2008, 02:15 AM	#4
ninjaboy76 Spec C Club Car: 05 STI, 08 CBR1000RR Fav Mod: None Location: Kansas Posts: 2,358 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Best compression tester When I checked my 04 STI I used two different cheap ones and my friends Snap On one. All of them read the exact same.

02-01-2008, 05:54 AM	#5
Good2Go Silver Member Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: Driver weight reduction Posts: 113 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Best compression tester Save yourself some money and get this one. Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices It is comparable to the Craftsman. Don't assume the Craftsman has a super accurate gauge just because it is more expensive. If you are concerened about guage accuracy (I wouldn't be), you could swap out a much more accurate guage for less than the price difference. This thread should be in the tools discussion forum. Last edited by Good2Go : 02-01-2008 at 06:03 AM.

02-01-2008, 06:13 AM	#6
mxpop Spec C Club Car: '06 STI Fav Mod: air freshener!!! Location: Santa barbara area Posts: 2,290 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Best compression tester Snap on is best but the Craftsman is totaly acceptable. I'm often disapointed with the quality of Harbor frieght, even tho the $$$ is tempting. As noted before, it's more about the consistency of the readings than the specific #s you get. If you really want to get useful info, get a good leak down detector as well.

02-16-2008, 06:21 PM	#7
Shakes HowTo Contributor Car: 06 Aspen White STI Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 116 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best compression tester I've got a MAC compression tester that you are welcome to come over and use. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.