How can u check if an engine runs w/o starting it? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

240SX21 · 06-20-2003, 11:51 PM

hey guys. ok, say you wanna check out an engine before it is actually wired and in the car...how can you go about doing so? a compression test won't work b/c the car needs to be running correct? sorry if this is a dumb question, but if you know please answer!! thanks.

FastBack 240 · 06-21-2003, 12:08 AM

not neccesarily, you can still check sompression but that wont always tell you if it works or not. Many other things could go wrong.

Muzzy · 06-21-2003, 12:32 AM

"simple question"....simple answer....no

:hammer:

like fastback said there are many other things that could go wrong
its damn near impossible to tell if it runs or not

....but there are some things u can do to see if u can make it run (if its at a junk yard) get a big socket and a breaker bar (dont remember size) and see if the motor turns. (the crank)
look inside the plenum
shine a flash light into each cylinder to see if anything is inside like rust or fluid...or take the valve cover off and the head off and inspect them.
look at the valves
look for corrosion
look for indications that the motor has overheated before
look for cracks or any kinda funny lookin repair job
make sure all the vaccum lines are there and connected
look for cracked lines of any kind....but

no of this will tell u if the car will start...it might help u figure out y it wont start...

240SX21 · 06-21-2003, 12:11 PM

thanks for the tips guys, ill give it a shot.

06-20-2003, 11:51 PM	#1
240SX21 Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 199 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How can u check if an engine runs w/o starting it? hey guys. ok, say you wanna check out an engine before it is actually wired and in the car...how can you go about doing so? a compression test won't work b/c the car needs to be running correct? sorry if this is a dumb question, but if you know please answer!! thanks.

06-21-2003, 12:32 AM	#3
Muzzy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: TX Posts: 1,555 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	"simple question"....simple answer....no :hammer: like fastback said there are many other things that could go wrong its damn near impossible to tell if it runs or not ....but there are some things u can do to see if u can make it run (if its at a junk yard) get a big socket and a breaker bar (dont remember size) and see if the motor turns. (the crank) look inside the plenum shine a flash light into each cylinder to see if anything is inside like rust or fluid...or take the valve cover off and the head off and inspect them. look at the valves look for corrosion look for indications that the motor has overheated before look for cracks or any kinda funny lookin repair job make sure all the vaccum lines are there and connected look for cracked lines of any kind....but no of this will tell u if the car will start...it might help u figure out y it wont start... __________________ lemme have a dollar Last edited by Muzzy; 06-21-2003 at 12:35 AM..

06-21-2003, 12:08 AM	#2
FastBack 240 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Motor City......MI Age: 39 Posts: 859 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	not neccesarily, you can still check sompression but that wont always tell you if it works or not. Many other things could go wrong.

06-21-2003, 12:11 PM	#4
240SX21 Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 199 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	thanks for the tips guys, ill give it a shot.