Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SYS.OK|MANUAL.DB● LIVE
HOMESERVICE MANUALSMITSUBISHI2005LANCER L4-2.0L SOHCREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISPOWERTRAIN MANAGEMENTTUNE-UP AND ENGINE PERFORMANCE CHECKSCOMPRESSION CHECKTESTING AND INSPECTION
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer L4-2.0L SOHC
Compression Check: Testing and Inspection
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer L4-2.0L SOHCSECTION Testing and Inspection
COMPRESSION PRESSURE CHECK
1. Before checks, check that the engine oil, starter and battery are normal. Also, set the vehicle to the following conditions:
^ Engine coolant temperature: 80 - 95°C (176 - 203°F)
^ Lights and all accessories: OFF
^ Transaxle: Neutral (P range on vehicles with A/T)
NOTE: Vehicles for Canada, the headlight, taillight, etc. remain lit even when the lighting switch is in "OFF" position but this is no problem for checks.
2. Disconnect the spark plug cables.
3. Remove all of the spark plugs.

4. Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor connector.
NOTE: Doing this will prevent the engine control module from carrying out ignition and fuel injection.
WARNING: Keep your distance from the spark plug hole when cranking. Oil, fuel, etc., may spray out from the spark plug hole and may cause serious injury.
5. Cover the spark plug holes with a shop towel etc. Crank the engine for a few seconds to clear debris from a round the spark plug holes. After the engine has been cranked, check for foreign material adhering to the shop towel.

6. Install the compression gauge to one of the spark plug holes.
7. Crank the engine with the throttle valve fully open and measure the compression pressure.
Standard value (at engine speed of 200 r/min): 1,618 kPa (234 psi)
Minimum limit (at engine speed of 200 r/min): 1,176 kPa (170 psi)
8. Measure the compression pressure for all the cylinders, and check that the pressure differences of the cylinders are below the limit.
Limit: 98 kPa (14 psi)
9. If there is a cylinder with compression or a compression difference that is outside the limit, pour a small amount of engine oil through the spark plug hole, and repeat the operations in steps 6 to 8.
1. If the compression increases after oil is added, the cause of the malfunction is a worn or damaged piston ring and/or cylinder inner surface.
2. If the compression does not rise after oil is added, the cause is a burnt or defective valve seat, or pressure is leaking from the gasket.
10. Connect the crankshaft position sensor connector.
11. Install the spark plugs and spark plug cables.
12. Use the scan tool to erase the diagnostic trouble codes.
NOTE: This will erase the diagnostic trouble code resulting from the crankshaft position sensor connector being disconnected. If the negative (-) cable has been disconnected from the battery terminal in order to erase the diagnostic trouble code, operate the engine at idle for approximately 10 minutes after restarting.
1. Before checks, check that the engine oil, starter and battery are normal. Also, set the vehicle to the following conditions:
^ Engine coolant temperature: 80 - 95°C (176 - 203°F)
^ Lights and all accessories: OFF
^ Transaxle: Neutral (P range on vehicles with A/T)
NOTE: Vehicles for Canada, the headlight, taillight, etc. remain lit even when the lighting switch is in "OFF" position but this is no problem for checks.
2. Disconnect the spark plug cables.
3. Remove all of the spark plugs.
4. Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor connector.
NOTE: Doing this will prevent the engine control module from carrying out ignition and fuel injection.
WARNING: Keep your distance from the spark plug hole when cranking. Oil, fuel, etc., may spray out from the spark plug hole and may cause serious injury.
5. Cover the spark plug holes with a shop towel etc. Crank the engine for a few seconds to clear debris from a round the spark plug holes. After the engine has been cranked, check for foreign material adhering to the shop towel.
6. Install the compression gauge to one of the spark plug holes.
7. Crank the engine with the throttle valve fully open and measure the compression pressure.
Standard value (at engine speed of 200 r/min): 1,618 kPa (234 psi)
Minimum limit (at engine speed of 200 r/min): 1,176 kPa (170 psi)
8. Measure the compression pressure for all the cylinders, and check that the pressure differences of the cylinders are below the limit.
Limit: 98 kPa (14 psi)
9. If there is a cylinder with compression or a compression difference that is outside the limit, pour a small amount of engine oil through the spark plug hole, and repeat the operations in steps 6 to 8.
1. If the compression increases after oil is added, the cause of the malfunction is a worn or damaged piston ring and/or cylinder inner surface.
2. If the compression does not rise after oil is added, the cause is a burnt or defective valve seat, or pressure is leaking from the gasket.
10. Connect the crankshaft position sensor connector.
11. Install the spark plugs and spark plug cables.
12. Use the scan tool to erase the diagnostic trouble codes.
NOTE: This will erase the diagnostic trouble code resulting from the crankshaft position sensor connector being disconnected. If the negative (-) cable has been disconnected from the battery terminal in order to erase the diagnostic trouble code, operate the engine at idle for approximately 10 minutes after restarting.
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
Recommended Tools & Savings
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.