How to Perform a Compression Test on the Engine in a Chrysler Sebring
Over the years, the engine in the Chrysler Sebring has undergone many changes. Whether the car contains a smaller 4-cylinder engine or a more powerful V6 engine, it is important to keep it running properly. Performing a simple compression test diagnoses common problems in the engine such worn cylinder walls, valves and piston rings.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Warm up the engine in the Chrysler Sebring before performing the compression test. Testing a cold engine produces inaccurate results. Turn off the engine and disable the ignition system to avoid electrical shock.
-
2
Remove all six spark plugs from the V6 engine. If the car contains a 4-cylinder engine instead, there will be only four spark plugs. Choose one of the spark plug holes and insert the compression tester.
-
-
3
Crank the starter to rotate the engine. This builds compression in the cylinder, causing the needle on the gauge to jump. The last number that it jumps to is the compression number for that cylinder. Write it down.
-
4
Repeat this procedure for each of the spark plug holes, keeping a record of the compression numbers for each cylinder. The numbers should be similar and fall within 10 PSI of each other.
-
5
Compare the compression numbers to the recommended compression ratio for a Chrysler Sebring. The numbers should fall within 15 PSI of 9.9:1 if the car has a 2.7L V6 engine or 10.0:1 if it has a 3.5L V6 engine. Compression ratios vary for models with a 4-cylinder engine as well as models earlier than 2006, so check the vehicle manual for these ratios.
-
6
Add a small amount of motor oil to any cylinder that has a low compression number and repeat the test to see if the number increases. If it stays the same, the cylinder has worn valves or valve seats, but if it increases, the engine has worn piston rings or cylinder walls instead.
-
1
