Kawasaki WORKHORSE 250 (2003) [83/322] Cylinder compression usable range

ENGINE TOP END 4-19

Cylinder Head

Cylinder Compression Measurement

•

Before measuring compression, do the following:

○

Be sure the battery is fully charged.

○

Warm up the engine (if the engine will run).

○

During warm-up, check for leaks around the cylinder head

gasket.

•

Remove the spark plug.

•

Set the compression gauge [A] and adapter [B] into the

spark plug hole.

Special Tools - Compression Gauge: 57001-221

Compress io n Gaug e Adap te r, M12 × 1.25:

57001-1183

•

Hold the throttle wide open and crank the engine with the

recoil starter or the electric starter.

•

When the gauge stops rising, stop cranking and read the

gauge.

Cylinder Compression (Usable Range)

Recoil Starter 750 ∼ 1 180 kPa (7.7 ∼ 12 kgf/cm ²,

(5 times): 110 ∼ 171 psi) @ 450 r/min (rpm)

Electric S tarter: 930 ∼ 1 435 kPa (9.5 ∼ 14.6 kgf/cm²,

135 ∼ 208 psi) @600 r/min (rpm)

If the c ompression is within the s pecified range, the piston

rings, cylinder and valves are probably in good condition.

If the compression is higher than the specified range, see

the Compression Too High table.

If the compression is below the specified range, squirt a

little oil into the spark plug hole and repeat the compres-

sion measurement.

If the c ompression does not change very much, the piston

rings are probably OK. See the Wet Compression - No

Change table.

If the compression increases, the piston rings are not

sealing properly. See the Wet Compression - Increase

table.