harbor freight compression tester.

[blairwill4]

So ive been tinkering with my 95 xp that I cant get to run. Something is whack electronically and I cant get it to crank with the start button but it turns over easily when I jump the solenoid. Thought it was about time I check compression on the ski.

Pulled the plugs, put the boots on the ground posts, and held WOT. Got 90psi. First thought was shit needs a top end. Switched to the other side and got exactly 90..... Hooked it up to my 96 xp with an SBT motor with like ten hours on it.... got 90 PSI..... hooked it up to my dads freaking weed whacker and got 90 PSI. Needless to say this thing is about useless. Anybody else have trouble with Harbor freight testers? Im going back in to try and exchange it.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

A lot of people have trouble with HF testers.
Money back guarantee from them.

Buy Craftsman, or a name brand from an auto parts store.

 

[racerxxx]

Mine is dead nuts on with my buddies Strap-On. Guess I'm lucky

 

[blairwill4]

im gonna get a dif model its about the same price couldnt really decide between the two but maybe this will be the deciding factor.

 

[racerxxx]

Mine is Item# 95187

http://www.harborfreight.com/quick-connect-compression-tester-95187.html

 

[blairwill4]

Thats the exact one I have lol. http://www.harborfreight.com/compression-test-kit-66216.html thinking of maybe trying this one instead? Or you think I should just get the same one again?

 

[RebuiltSeadooBaffles]

Mine is good to go, read 155 psi on a rebuilt 787 and 145 on a good running 580.

 

[LouDoo]

I've got the same model as Dan's I checked it against a recently certified Snap-On at work, it was dead on.

Lou

 

[blairwill4]

So I just got the shaft on mine. I guess Ill just try another one!

 

[Strizzo]

oops, clicked a little early...

 

[Strizzo]

You have to realize how the Chinese work with these deals. They'll do a couple production runs at spec to get through the early stages were qc is checked a lot, then start cutting corners to make more per item. Happens with nearly everything hf sells. A good tool 6-8 months ago won't likely be the same as te one on the shelf now. Some of them stay quality, some don't.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I have a harbor freight one and I had the same problem, it always read 90 psi, then i looked at the tip and noticed the needle or pin was missing. We have a snap on on from the 80s and it works like a champ.

 

[blairwill4]

I have a harbor freight one and I had the same problem, it always read 90 psi, then i looked at the tip and noticed the needle or pin was missing. We have a snap on on from the 80s and it works like a champ.

Any chance you could post a picture of what you are talking about??

 

[YouCanDooIt]

I have a harbor freight one and I had the same problem, it always read 90 psi, then i looked at the tip and noticed the needle or pin was missing. We have a snap on on from the 80s and it works like a champ.

Yep that is the problem with them some have schrader valves and other do not. Mine did not have one and my father in laws did. I do not know how they could mess something like that up? The ones without the valve on the end looses PSI through the extra hose leading up to the guage. The picture below are the same cylinder on a polaris 1050....

Yea.. over 30 psi difference and the actron tester I have I bought at advanced auto for about $10 more.

 

[blairwill4]

So what does this little schrader valve look like. Because Im just going to crack them all open in the store before i buy one.

 

[YouCanDooIt]

The fist pic is the HF unit, the hose that threads into the cylinder. I don't know if you can tell or not but it is hollow leading up to the connector which has a half ass ball valve type setup. The second/third pic is what needs to be on the end. Sorry for crappy pics, but honestly, I would not waste the money on a HF tester, go to the auto parts store and get one for $30/40.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ctron_9090029-p?searchTerm=compression+tester

I bought this one and it works great, and very nicely made
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...unpro_9090005-p?searchTerm=compression+tester

 

[chucked]

Go buy a nice $30 gauge and have a nice meter

 

[blairwill4]

Sounds like im going to Advance! Thanks again guys.

 

[chucked]

I mean just the gauge. By going to advanced you still get a chinese meter

 

[YouCanDooIt]

Lol well more than likely the gauge that you would be buying for $30 would be chinese, you can't buy much of anything that isn't anymore. I don't believe the Actron (it's made by sunpro which is owned by Snap On Tools) to be chinese made but even if it is, it is made very well and works great. I'm guessing, like most of us, this is not a tool he will be using every day.

 

[racerxxx]

The fist pic is the HF unit, the hose that threads into the cylinder. I don't know if you can tell or not but it is hollow leading up to the connector which has a half ass ball valve type setup. The second/third pic is what needs to be on the end. Sorry for crappy pics, but honestly, I would not waste the money on a HF tester, go to the auto parts store and get one for $30/40.


http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ctron_9090029-p?searchTerm=compression+tester

I bought this one and it works great, and very nicely made
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...unpro_9090005-p?searchTerm=compression+tester

I think you hit the nail on the head. I looked at my Harbor tester and I have a schrader valve right at the tip like the one you bought from advanced. So, if you get the one from Harbor, open the pack right there and check, if it has a schrader valve you're probably good to go, if it has the "other ball" thing, stay away. Just when they make it cheap, Harbor finds a way to make it cheaper yet! Ancient Chinese secret grashoppa!

 

[blairwill4]

Lol Ill probably only use this thing like 5-6 times a year and 2-3 of those times it will be somebody borrowing it.