The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

My plan has always been to remove engine this year and refurbish over the winter.

Rumbling main bearings on start up fuelled this action.

So whilst in the car and running well and reasonably quiet I thought I would check the compression readings, I was surprised to find they were at virtually 0 the best I got was 25 on number 2 cylinder.

I tried it cold, then hot with throttle closed then open and the figures were the same... I started to suspect the gauge but a friend used it recently without any issue...

But I can’t understand why with so low compression figures why the engine doesn’t have any problems, doesn’t even use much oil...

Just wondered if any one had any ideas...

Will be taken out in a couple of weeks so all may be revealed...

Worth rechecking teh gauge on a known good engine, or try another gauge. Readings seem very odd if the engine actually runs.

are you using a screw in adaptor of a sealed push fit, it the latter then it is very difficult to get a good seal on the OHV engines

If you have tightly grouped figures, I would suspect it is a miss calibrated gauge and wouldn't worry too much. If the numbers are all over the place, then I would be more concerned. If the engine works I would ignore what the compression test is saying.