can you hear bad compression ?

xfrank12 · 02-17-2007, 09:51 AM

im looking at a ram, 1995, cummins,139,000 miles, auto trans. as is.

i wanted to do a compression test before i buy it, he says no, if there was a problem you would hear it.

is that true? i have always heard you should test any old diesel before you buy it.

also, i heard the trans had problems in those years, and the front ends.

any easy way to tell if the engine,trans and front end are bad on a road test? i mean going, not shot. i know if engine, trans and front end are shot, i will notice.

he only wants $5,000, but i dont think its worth that price if engine, trans and front end are shot.

bradrhale · 02-17-2007, 10:33 AM

you would not hear the lack of compression per say, but could hear it running without that cylinder. it would run rough and shake little. sometimes a cylinder that has no compression will backfire through the exhaust pipe and could even back fire through the intake, which would not happen in your case. i agree with you about the price.

xfrank12 · 02-17-2007, 10:46 AM

thanks for the reply.

are you saying you would not buy it without a compression test ?

bradrhale · 02-17-2007, 10:59 AM

if you are that worried about it, have it tested. it dont shake and not act like its running retarded, i wouldnt worry about it. i have heard about some small problems with the trannys around that time but cant tell you for a fact.

xfrank12 · 02-17-2007, 11:08 AM

thank you.

anybody else have any advice ?

02-17-2007, 09:51 AM	#1
xfrank12 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3	can you hear bad compression ? im looking at a ram, 1995, cummins,139,000 miles, auto trans. as is. i wanted to do a compression test before i buy it, he says no, if there was a problem you would hear it. is that true? i have always heard you should test any old diesel before you buy it. also, i heard the trans had problems in those years, and the front ends. any easy way to tell if the engine,trans and front end are bad on a road test? i mean going, not shot. i know if engine, trans and front end are shot, i will notice. he only wants $5,000, but i dont think its worth that price if engine, trans and front end are shot.

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02-17-2007, 10:33 AM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	you would not hear the lack of compression per say, but could hear it running without that cylinder. it would run rough and shake little. sometimes a cylinder that has no compression will backfire through the exhaust pipe and could even back fire through the intake, which would not happen in your case. i agree with you about the price.

02-17-2007, 10:46 AM	#3
xfrank12 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3	thanks for the reply. are you saying you would not buy it without a compression test ?

02-17-2007, 10:59 AM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	if you are that worried about it, have it tested. it dont shake and not act like its running retarded, i wouldnt worry about it. i have heard about some small problems with the trannys around that time but cant tell you for a fact.

02-17-2007, 11:08 AM	#5
xfrank12 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3	thank you. anybody else have any advice ?