What is compression ignition? Compression ignition basically is the term that is used for describing the manner in which diesel engines function.

Is your engine underperforming? Our expert shares how a diesel engine compression test could provide the diagnosis.

The diesel engine has a 23:1 compression ratio, which would quickly lead to detonation if fueled with gasoline. This needs to be reduced closer to 10:1 if the engine is to run safely on gas.

Also, engine compression readings can vary depending on altitude and other factors, so it is more important to compare the cylinders to each other rather than the assumed compression number.

To determine whether pressure's escaping from the engine, you need to check the compression in the cylinders. For this job, you need a compression gauge (see Figure 8-9).

A Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition engine can achieve 60 percent thermal efficiency. That's incredible.

Not all braking systems on semis have to be loud to be effective. Exhaust brakes make a fraction of the noise that compression brakes do, here's how they work.

The guys at Muscle Car Review show you how to check engine compression with the latest tools. Check it out only at hotrod.com or the October 2011 issue of Muscle Car Review Magazine.

Infiniti showed off a slightly updated Q50 yesterday at the Paris Motor Show, but nobody gave a damn because right next to it was this: the first ever production-ready variable compression-ratio ...

With a simple diesel engine compression test, it is possible to spot compression problems before they get worse. Here’s information on these tests and how to decide if it is time to perform one.