Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

Compression numbers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 08-30-2017, 04:20 PM
  #26  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,720
Received 2,008 Likes on 1,637 Posts
I could have misunderstood, just been wrong, or any number of things. You say I was "snide", well what do you call your response? Yet look at the difference in how I responded, because again, it's just an opinion and nothing more. So yeah, that you have some learning to do on multiple levels seems obvious from my perspective ...
Old 08-30-2017, 05:10 PM
  #27  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Loki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 7,724
Received 957 Likes on 835 Posts
Team, whether you misunderstood or not, you made a conscious decision to belittle the person in question, rather than help them. And you kinda do that often. So, you have another decision to make: continue as you are and continue to get feedback like you get, and then justify or defend yourself, or save your energy and either stay out or, ideally, help. You obviously know a lot about these cars, and you could help many of us, but if you keep it all to yourself, nobody is really going to care who you are or what you know.
The following users liked this post:
gwilliams6 (08-31-2017)
Old 08-30-2017, 05:38 PM
  #28  
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
 
9krpmrx8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 33,784
Received 452 Likes on 366 Posts
You just have to read between the lines or do your own research and people can't be bothered to do either, yet they get defensive when people don't coddle them and spoon feed them. So many delicate flowers....

I would say, "they'll learn" but that is unlikely since the average RX-8 ownership span these days is probably an average of a year.

Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 08-30-2017 at 05:40 PM.
Old 08-31-2017, 08:35 AM
  #29  
40th anniversary Edition
 
gwilliams6's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Grapevine, Texas
Posts: 2,926
Received 133 Likes on 114 Posts
Right on Loki !!!!
Old 09-02-2017, 08:56 PM
  #30  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,720
Received 2,008 Likes on 1,637 Posts
My last post about it is to please stop polluting threads with your silly nonsense about me. He contacted me privately and I chose to respond here. In addition to it not involving you I help plenty, but don't expect you to be any more be knowledgable about that than anything else going on here.

Generally speaking people who ask a basic question and then proceed to try and be impressive aren't really looking for help. Unlike yourself, I don't care about being perceived as knowledgable by people who not only have no idea what it is, but then proceed to mouth off rather than either consider or listen to the good advise they asked for.

.
Old 04-09-2018, 07:32 PM
  #31  
New Member
 
NZRx8INV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
NZ RX8 Cold Compression Numbers 6 PORT

Hey looking to purchase an imported engine that has 50k miles and has been opened at some point for a rebuild i am told.(this is obvious due to sealant and painted endplates.)

however i have just had the engine tested cold at a rotary specialist.

results are as follows

Front @ 198 RPM
78 psi
73 psi
77 psi

Rear @ 202 RPM
82 psi
81 psi
84 psi

Now the technician has stated he thinks these figures should come up to the 105 range when hot...as the motor has been sitting for a while he also believes
this can contribute too a low cold result.

Just after your wisdoms on these statements and answer on the figures provided at the RPM/cold etc

Cheeers!!
Old 02-28-2019, 01:26 PM
  #32  
Registered
 
Masont72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Help interpreting compression numbers

Sorry to bring back an old thread but I figured I’d try and get some help with my compression numbers. I’ve used both the compression table posted in this thread with normalized readings using the foxed.ca calculator as well as another calculator from driven by madness’s yourube video and both results seem to be too good to be true. I’ve just picked up an 04 with 96k miles on first engine. Start up is slow and worse when hot, but I’ve also found there’s a 490 cca battery that’s surely contributing to slow start ups, my fuel economy is about 9-10 driving moderately and I’ve got some smoke out the tail pipes and that’s all my low compression symptoms now for compression numbers. Front rotor is 55 psi on all faces at 200rpm cranking speed at 797ft above sea level normalized to 60.41 and compression ratio of 9.4 according to what I got. Rear rotor 60 58 and 55 psi same rpm and elevation. Also Normalizes to 9.4 as much as I’d like to believe these I do not. Planning to rebuild this summer when I’ve got time hoping I can make it that long. Thanks for the help in advanced couldent start a thread as I’ve not met the posting requirements yet.
Old 02-28-2019, 01:52 PM
  #33  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Loki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 7,724
Received 957 Likes on 835 Posts
Not sure how you're calculating compression ratio, but from the factory compression ratio is 10:1. So if you're calculating effective compression of 9.4... that's a sign your engine is toast.
Try to use this: Foxed.ca - Rotary Compression Calculator

55psi normalizes to 4.66kg/cm2 which is what compression spec is measured in. 7.0 is borderline.. soo yeah, she's dead.

However, that doesn't fully explain the dismal MPG and smoke, that sounds more like poor ignition. You have some reading up to do on ignition and catalytic converter health, and common engine killers, so that when you get a rebuild, you don't make the mistake of putting a fresh engine back in without fixing the root cause.
Old 02-28-2019, 01:54 PM
  #34  
Registered
 
Masont72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Loki
Not sure how you're calculating compression ratio, but from the factory compression ratio is 10:1. So if you're calculating effective compression of 9.4... that's a sign your engine is toast.
Try to use this: Foxed.ca - Rotary Compression Calculator

55psi normalizes to 4.66kg/cm2 which is what compression spec is measured in. 7.0 is borderline.. soo yeah, she's dead.

However, that doesn't fully explain the dismal MPG and smoke, that sounds more like poor ignition. You have some reading up to do on ignition and catalytic converter health, and common engine killers, so that when you get a rebuild, you don't make the mistake of putting a fresh engine back in without fixing the root cause.

already has a cat delete and yes, ignition system is on the long list of parts to buy...
Old 02-28-2019, 03:09 PM
  #35  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
It's difficult to normalize the numbers when its cranking that slowly. Doesnt sound too good though from the other symptoms.

They will run for a long time though as long as you can start them. Bigger battery and a faster starter should help a lot
Old 02-28-2019, 05:21 PM
  #36  
Smoking turbo yay
 
UnknownJinX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,104
Received 666 Likes on 592 Posts
The chart in the service manual goes down to 150 RPM so 200 RPM is still fine.

But yeah, doesn't matter how you normalize it, I am surprised that your car can even start.
Old 04-07-2020, 08:19 PM
  #37  
Registered
 
lzvzlm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 45
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Im really sorry to piggyback off this thread but ive been a member for months and still cant post my own topics. Just wanted advice what you guys would pay for a otherwise perfect '09 gt with these compression numbers
Old 05-16-2020, 03:51 AM
  #38  
Registered
 
jonj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had my '05 Manual tested on Monday. adjusted for altitude and rpm both rotors came back 97 98 96. When I saw the kg/cm2, (not sure if these are adjusted or not) they came back
6.8 7.1 7.2 for the front and
6.7 6.8 6.9 for the rear.

The car has 99k on it with new ignition coils, wires and plugs (5k miles on them)
I replaced the battery and went with a higher CCA than what was recommended. Can't recall how much higher right now but if this is a factor I can update this post later.
Since the test was done I have changed the starter to the upgraded faster one and my slow hot starts have disappeared.

My question now is, could the slower starter have skewed my compression test results? Should I have it re-tested?



Old 05-16-2020, 01:37 PM
  #39  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,720
Received 2,008 Likes on 1,637 Posts
well if you don’t know if they’re adjusted or not it means they’re useless

it’s adjusted based on the rpm, so you get a different number based on what rpm the starter is turning, but then that’s the point of adjusting them to a common reference number; usually 250 rpm is the standard

excuse me why I go have a moment of facepalm silence ...
Old 05-16-2020, 04:07 PM
  #40  
Smoking turbo yay
 
UnknownJinX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,104
Received 666 Likes on 592 Posts
Originally Posted by jonj
I had my '05 Manual tested on Monday. adjusted for altitude and rpm both rotors came back 97 98 96. When I saw the kg/cm2, (not sure if these are adjusted or not) they came back
6.8 7.1 7.2 for the front and
6.7 6.8 6.9 for the rear.

The car has 99k on it with new ignition coils, wires and plugs (5k miles on them)
I replaced the battery and went with a higher CCA than what was recommended. Can't recall how much higher right now but if this is a factor I can update this post later.
Since the test was done I have changed the starter to the upgraded faster one and my slow hot starts have disappeared.

My question now is, could the slower starter have skewed my compression test results? Should I have it re-tested?
Rotary builds up compression as they spin faster so yes, the cranking RPM would have an effect on the compression number.

That said, having a faster starter is just delaying the inevitable if your engine is worn down. As Team said, it will "improve" your unadjusted readings, but once it's adjusted to the 250 RPM sea-level standard, it will give you the same numbers as it would give you when you adjust the numbers with the slower starter.
Old 05-16-2020, 07:08 PM
  #41  
Registered
 
jonj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by TeamRX8
well if you don’t know if they’re adjusted or not it means they’re useless

it’s adjusted based on the rpm, so you get a different number based on what rpm the starter is turning, but then that’s the point of adjusting them to a common reference number; usually 250 rpm is the standard

excuse me why I go have a moment of facepalm silence ...
The PSI numbers are adjusted.

I was unsure if the kg/cm2 numbers I saw on the tester were adjusted.

I appreciate the explanation of what the adjustment of numbers is and does but the facepalm comment was uncalled for. Replies like this are the reason people don't like asking questions and therefore never learn.

Originally Posted by UnknownJinX
Rotary builds up compression as they spin faster so yes, the cranking RPM would have an effect on the compression number.

That said, having a faster starter is just delaying the inevitable if your engine is worn down. As Team said, it will "improve" your unadjusted readings, but once it's adjusted to the 250 RPM sea-level standard, it will give you the same numbers as it would give you when you adjust the numbers with the slower starter.
​​​​​​​Thank you for the clarification. I figured that would be the case. I don't really want to have another motor grenade on me, I had an old 540i that had a timing chain guide failure last year and thanks to the zero tolerance of that motor, it's dead.

Just trying to decide how I want to proceed, save for a rebuild or another car for now.

Thank you again.
​​​​​​​

Last edited by jonj; 05-16-2020 at 07:29 PM. Reason: Add quote
Old 05-16-2020, 08:25 PM
  #42  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,720
Received 2,008 Likes on 1,637 Posts
Yes, it was called for as your thin skin does so readily testify. You have more to learn than you think. The question is are you teachable? Based on the last part of the reply it would suggest not. Further, people who are afraid to ask aren’t worth teaching. It it’s not that it would not be learned from not asking, it would not be learned due to a lack of effort. Because you can go find and read that numerous places on here and the internet in general to learn it.

try to be less sensitive and you *will* learn a lot more and sooner too. Feel free to ask me directly even unless you’re too afraid to learn 😱

Last edited by TeamRX8; 05-16-2020 at 08:28 PM.
Old 05-19-2020, 07:29 PM
  #43  
Registered
 
motodenta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: UK, Essex
Posts: 265
Received 31 Likes on 22 Posts
Since this topics is up I would open a question:
Is the compression number is linearly proportional with RPM ?

All we got is Mazda service manual with a graph, later others made excel file, app, online calculator and.... base on that graph.
Problem is when the starting speed exceed 300rpm like my case which I have easy 333rpm every day of week and healthy 350rpm on fully charged battery.
I drew two additional lines after 300rpm to end of 350rpm, Red line is copy past slop from original lines and Green line is predicted from actual lines,
as you can see divergence is huge number of 1.0 kPa.
Is there any official compress graph for above 300rpm ?




There is no official guideline after 300RPM, it could be same slope of a curve in Red or more logically continuation of slope in Green.

Old 05-19-2020, 09:06 PM
  #44  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Loki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 7,724
Received 957 Likes on 835 Posts
Your red line doesn't follow from the original line. Put a straight line on it, you'll see you've created an inflection.
I don't know for certain, but it's probably safe to go with the green line, if it's computed from the known trend. I wouldn't expect the behavior to meaningfully change in 50 rpm.
Linear would be crazy, our engines don't make 48 kg/cm2 of compression at 10,000 rpm
Old 01-24-2022, 09:25 AM
  #45  
 
irfan96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey gwilliams6, I've mazda rx8 kuro 2007 since 2010 my mechanic just done the compression test and the result is front rotor 5.0 rear rotor is 4.0. sometimes the car starts a bit later then normal even engine is hot or cold.But the performance is still okay. Now my mechanic told me that just buy a Low Compression Rebuilt Kit which includes ;
  • Apex Seals x 6
  • Apex seal spring short x 6
  • Apex seal spring long x 6
  • Rotor Oil seal set
  • Rear Stationary Gear O ring
  • Outer water seal x 4
  • Inner water seal x 4
  • Eccentric shaft oil seal front x 1
  • Eccentric shaft oil seal rear x 1
  • Set of through bolt seals
  • Set of dowel "O" rings
  • Free Mazda RX-8 Engine rebuild workshop manual

What do you think guys will it be enough for repair or do I need to buy housing or any other parts to reach the pick performance?
Thanks a lot
Old 01-24-2022, 09:26 AM
  #46  
 
irfan96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey gwilliams6, I've mazda rx8 kuro 2007 since 2010 my mechanic just done the compression test and the result is front rotor 5.0 rear rotor is 4.0. sometimes the car starts a bit later then normal even engine is hot or cold.But the performance is still okay. Now my mechanic told me that just buy a Low Compression Rebuilt Kit which includes ;
  • Apex Seals x 6
  • Apex seal spring short x 6
  • Apex seal spring long x 6
  • Rotor Oil seal set
  • Rear Stationary Gear O ring
  • Outer water seal x 4
  • Inner water seal x 4
  • Eccentric shaft oil seal front x 1
  • Eccentric shaft oil seal rear x 1
  • Set of through bolt seals
  • Set of dowel "O" rings
  • Free Mazda RX-8 Engine rebuild workshop manual

What do you think guys will it be enough for repair or do I need to buy housing or any other parts to reach the pick performance?
Thanks a lot
Old 01-27-2022, 03:23 PM
  #47  
Modulated Moderator
iTrader: (3)
 
dannobre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Smallville
Posts: 13,718
Received 334 Likes on 289 Posts
Until you pull it apart you won't know if you need housings or bearings.

or potentially plates or rotors..

Old 01-27-2022, 10:56 PM
  #48  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Loki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 7,724
Received 957 Likes on 835 Posts
Never go back to this mechanic again. Find a proper rotary specialist and/or order a ready rebuilt engine from a reliable rotary shop. Shadetree rebuilds replacing just the seals are only good if you enjoy doing them annually.

A proper compression test gives 6 numbers, not 2, and the rpm at which the test was done. Also with 4 and 5 compression you would have severe trouble starting the car, so I wouldn't put a lot of faith in the test results. What prompted you to test it?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RotaryRider
New Member Forum
6
01-09-2022 09:42 PM
Gavin_551
Series I Tech Garage
1
06-28-2013 03:47 AM
rotarenvy
Series I Trouble Shooting
2
07-02-2010 08:02 AM
WellThen
Series I Tech Garage
3
03-25-2010 09:58 PM
Maninder
Series I Trouble Shooting
8
03-24-2010 07:38 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Compression numbers



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:39 AM.