Should you do routine compression testing?

[Presentation]

Say you own a boat and you are not in process of selling the boat.

You are not burning oil nor do you have any other signs of engine trouble.

How often would you do a engine compression test?

How long would you estimate a 5.0 MPI engine would go before a valve job is necessary? Assume routine use and care, regular oil + filter changes.

 

[billnpat]

Say you own a boat and you are not in process of selling the boat.

You are not burning oil nor do you have any other signs of engine trouble.

How often would you do a engine compression test?

How long would you estimate a 5.0 MPI engine would go before a valve job is necessary? Assume routine use and care, regular oil + filter changes.

I think thats a good idea, compression test....... every other year maybe.??...

 

[Presentation]

I think thats a good idea, compression test....... every other year maybe.??...

Is this what you do?

 

[billnpat]

Is this what you do?

It was done last july, i'll wait till july 2012.....

 

[Jeepers]

Compression test and its running good? Are you a glutton for punishment? Looking to toss and turn all night if you don't like the numbers? Are you prepared for a valve or ring job? If it's fixed, don't break it. :grin:

 

[billnpat]

Compression test and its running good? Are you a glutton for punishment? Looking to toss and turn all night if you don't like the numbers? Are you prepared for a valve or ring job? If it's fixed, don't break it. :grin:

If i don't like the numbers i'll fix it so i do like the numbers........

 

[SCORPIO]

I think an easier indicator of how the engine is holding up would be periodically doing a WOT check to see if the engine(s) will turn up to rated numbers and also compare the numbers you see against your last WOT check. This would give you a seat of the pants feel for what is going on inside the engines that is easy to do. Of course you need to run these tests under very similar conditions of air temp, sea state, fuel and passenger load etc. in order for them to have true value. A compression test isn't a bad idea but it can be a PIA to do one depending on your engine room layout.

 

[billnpat]

I think an easier indicator of how the engine is holding up would be periodically doing a WOT check to see if the engine(s) will turn up to rated numbers and also compare the numbers you see against your last WOT check. This would give you a seat of the pants feel for what is going on inside the engines that is easy to do. Of course you need to run these tests under very similar conditions of air temp, sea state, fuel and passenger load etc. in order for them to have true value. A compression test isn't a bad idea but it can be a PIA to do one depending on your engine room layout.

The WOT check i do also.......My mechanic suggested the same thing, i do it every once in a while under the same conditions........

 

[OldSkool]

You can compression test the engine every week if you want to. All you risk is cross threading the spark plug holes. I do mine when I winterize that way I can repair during the winter if needed. Low compression will not kill the engine like worn rod and main bearings will. It can cause oil consumption that eventually will kill the bearings and destroy the engine but you should be checking your oil level regularly. If your not check the oil level then your sure as heck not going to do a compression test. If you are not seeing increased oil consumption, blue smoke at the exhaust, decrease in WOT RPM, longer time to get on plane, or decreased top speed then yearly checks are more than sufficient.

 

[tbirdvet]

If you maintain the engine no reason for a compression test unless you suspect an issue or have many hours on the engine and suspect time for a rebuild. I've rebuilt many engines in my day that needed an overhaul even when the compression was OK.