Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

What is normal cylinder psi?

Old 08-22-2001, 02:42 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
craiger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Tacoma WA, USA
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is normal cylinder psi?

Recently I posted questions about oil comming out by breather valve and onto my valve covers. I can feel air comming out the pvc hole when i dissconnect it and i step up the rpms. I did a compression check and i am at a steady 170 psi. What is normal psi for our cars? My car is a 91 Z 28 with a 350. Any help would be GREATLY APPRICIATED
Old 08-22-2001, 03:41 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member
 
RB83L69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Loveland, OH, US
Posts: 18,457
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
There is no real "normal". There are alot of factors that affect what the gauge will show. Just about anything from 150 to 180 is "noraml". As long as all cylinders are within 5% or so of each other, then the motor is probably healthy. Consistency is more important than the absolute value.

I'd say if you got 8 readings all between 165 and 175, your engine is probably in decent shape. If you had 7 cylinders at 165 and one at 175, that might indicate a bad cam lobe; 7 at 175 and one at 165 might show a leaky valve or set of rings; 6 at 175 and 2 right next to each other at 100 might indicate a bad head gasket, etc.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports
Old 08-22-2001, 04:32 PM
  #3  
ede
TGO Supporter

 
ede's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Jackson County
Posts: 14,811
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
like rb said 140 to 180 is about right, the big thing is that the numbers are within 10%

------------------
ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM
Old 08-22-2001, 05:27 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
craiger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Tacoma WA, USA
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a lot of work a head of me!!!! becuse one cylinder is reading only 120 psi where as the others are at 170psi. I put 5cc's of oil in the lower psi cylinder and it increased up to 155psi....need an overhaul so i gotta tell the wife Anyhow, i guess i'll be needing some suggestions for the rebuild. Thank you all for the help!
Old 08-22-2001, 11:43 PM
  #5  
Senior Member

 
Duke901's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SYLVANIA,OHIO,USA
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 89 Formula
So what does it mean when u have 1 cylinder at 120 and the rest are at 175 or if u have two low pressure cylinders next to one another while the other cylinders pressures are high
Old 08-22-2001, 11:47 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member

 
8Mike9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Oakdale, Ca
Posts: 5,183
Received 42 Likes on 38 Posts
Car: 89 IrocZ
Engine: L98-ish
Transmission: 700R4
Never mind, didn't see your last post.

[This message has been edited by 8Mike9 (edited August 22, 2001).]
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
manualbrakes.com
Brakes
63
04-09-2024 11:55 AM
db057
TBI
14
04-28-2019 07:45 AM
customblackbird
Power Adders
71
10-01-2015 04:30 PM
Bubbajones_ya
Cooling
23
09-14-2015 08:38 PM
Stroopwafel
Tech / General Engine
7
09-11-2015 06:38 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: What is normal cylinder psi?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:10 AM.