Ford 3000 diesel compression check

[ralstoncoates]

I bought a $60 amazon special which came with
nothing put parts. So I'm guessing on how to put
this where injector goes to check the compression.
Photo shows how I have inserted it. When cranking
engine I know there is pressure. Gauge is not
moving off the zero but maybe a hair width. So
either I did it wrong or gauge is broke. Do I need to
put all the seals on tester as if it is an actual
injector?

There is liquid in the gauge also. Not sure if that's
normal.

 

[Dieseltech]

Did you place a copper washer in the head, and adjust the adapter length to make sure it's setting tight against the gasket? You might be checking a bad cylinder to begin with too...

 

[ralstoncoates]

So I went back out with new gauge borrowed from neighbor. I put the cork type gasket on but did not put the copper gasket on. I'm reading 175 psi on two of them and 275 psi on one. So I need to put the copper washer on inside also as if it were an actual injector?

Thank you for your help

 

[Dieseltech]

The CORK is just a dust seal, leave it off for testing compression. The copper gasket needs to be in place, same as the injector uses. Good diesels will usually have 350 to 400 PSI compression. Lower may still run, but cold starting really suffers below 350 PSI.

 

[ralstoncoates]

Thanks. Will try tomorrow