2008 6.6L Duramax – ENGINE COMPRESSION TEST

Tools Required
• J 26999 Compression Gage. See Special Tools.
• EN-47603 Compression Gage Adapter. See Special Tools.

Test

1. Ensure that the vehicle’s batteries are in good condition, and fully charged.
2. Operate the vehicle until the engine is at normal operating temperature.
3. Shut o ff engine.
4. Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor.
5. Disconnect glow plug nut; remove all 8 glow plugs. All 8 glow plugs must be removed from the engine during each       cylinder test to obtain valid test results.
6 . Prior to taking a compression reading, verify the cranking speed is greater than 140 RPM . If the cranking speed          is below 140 RPM , repair the slow cranking speed condition before continuing with the compression test. Refer          to Engine Cranks Slowly .
7. Install the EN-47603 in the glow plug hole for the cylinder that is being checked. See Special Tools.

for the cylinder being tested.
10. Observe the J 26999 and note the reading as the compression test is being performed. See Special Tools. A                     normal cylinder reading will be indicated if compression builds up quickly and evenly to the specified level. An             abnormal reading will be indicated if compression is low on the first compression stroke, starts increasing on the         following compression strokes but does not reach the specified level.
11. Record the compression reading for the cylinder just tested.
12. Disconnect the J 26999 from the EN-47603 and remove adapter from the glow plug hole. See Special Tools.
13. Repeat steps 8 through 13 for all remaining cylinders. All 8 cylinders must be tested to obtain valid test results.            Record the readings.
14. The minimum compression in any one cylinder is 2069 kPa (300 psi). There should not be more than 345 kPa            (50 psi) difference between a suspect cylinder and the average compression o f all 8 cylinders.
• Normal-Compression builds up quickly and evenly to the specified compression for each cylinder.
• Piston Rings Leaking-Compression is low on the first stroke. Compression builds up with the following strokes but     does not reach normal.
• Valves Leaking-Compression is low on the first stroke. Compression usually does not build up on the following             strokes.