Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Folks--I was reading on another forum and the topic of "compressioin reading for the engine to be healthy) was discussed.  They had an engine that would not start and made a statement it had a compression reading of 60 to 65 pounds.   All the other 2 items---spark and gas were present but it would not start.  That sounds too low to me.  What do you that are regularly working on engines have to say about this?--Will

Thanks to all of you for your posts.   I was not taking into consideration the compression release system.  Will talk to you all by posting later--your friend--Will

I'm told if you really want to get compression an engine with mechanical compression release, rotate it backwards. I've not tried this myself.

Garandman wrote:
G.
Only one problem with that.....How do you rotate an engine backwards?
Pull and electric starters only turn the engine one way.
I am sure that there are ways it can done.....but I also think setting that up would take more time than it's worth.