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Doing my annual yesterday I found that my #4 cylinder compression is only reading about 72-74/80PSI. All the others are 78+, as this one was last year. The engine has 390 hours on it, and is always run with mogas. I could hear oil gurgling in the tank as I tested this cylinder, but I could also hear a change in the sound when I put my hand over the exhaust pipe. Any ideas what would cause this sudden change, and what is recommended? For what it's worth, it still runs great.
  • Re: 912S low compression 1 cylinder

    by » 13 years ago


    Hi Paul,

    It is within specs and may only need to be monitored. You're only talking a few psi. I wouldn't pull the heads just for this. The very first thing I would do is bring the engine back up to operating temp and try it again and double check it. I have seen many cases of erroneous readings and when done again turn out okay. It is possible to have gotten a piece of something trapped on a valve seat.

    Roger Lee
    LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
    Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
    520-349-7056 Cell


  • Re: 912S low compression 1 cylinder

    by » 13 years ago


    Thanks, Roger. I'll try that!

  • Re: 912S low compression 1 cylinder

    by » 13 years ago


    Update: I flew the airplane for an hour or so, then retested the compression on the #4. It now shows 78/80. Roger, thanks for the advice. You were right on.

  • Re: 912S low compression 1 cylinder

    by » 2 years ago


    Resurrecting this post as it has now happened to me.  Performed a compression check on all cylinders during my annual earlier this week.  Cyl #1 was showing 60.  All other cylinders were normal.  We ran the engine and re-checked it.  Same result.  You could hear the air coming out of the exhaust pipe.  It's a 912iS with 1,266 hours on it. It has always been run on 93 e-free MOGAS.   Lockwood has asked us to send the cylinder to them which we plan to do on Monday.  Any ideas on what's going on?


    Aviation Real Estate Specialist & iRMT


  • Re: 912S low compression 1 cylinder

    by » 2 years ago


    Have come across the recommendation to fly the plane for 20-30 minutes and re-test right away after landing. Ground runs may deliver a better result than testing a cold engine but a proper flight is said to be the better test preparation. I‘d invest that time before pulling the cylinder. Tried a borescope yet to check the condition of cylinder and head/valves?


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