How do it know if an engine is in good shape

[Executionerhk]

Ok guys,

How do I know my engine is still in good shape or not?

My car is not running strong, 99 corolla VE can beat me from a dead stop, I have my gas pedal all the way down...

Engine sounds fine, high rpm at almost red zone sounds strong, idle a bit rough, 850 rmp to 1000 rpm... sometime stable sometime up and down within this range. Maybe a little knocking... i don know, still sounds very smooth. everyone think it sounds pretty good.
No power, I am thinking maybe the electronic connection is mess up. because my battery will drain over night... only 115000 miles on the car. Or I am thinking maybe the timing is off... i read on Engine Timingbut i still want to know more about timing before I really go do it... because I know nothing about car and I am ready to get dirty and learn.

Guy can ask me question to know more about the engine in order to know more about the engine

 

[welfle18]

Well first off you should do a boost leak test. Fix any leaks you might have. Then I would do a compression test on all the cylinders the standard being 178 psi but the service limit 139 psi. There shouldn't be a difference between cylinders of 14 psi max. Then I would check plugs and plug wires. You might have a wrong gap which should be .028 to .031 inches. I would check all those components and move from there.

 

[Executionerhk]

Ok i have to make a boost leak tester... and I will try to do it...
i have to have a compressor right?
but how to do compression teset?
what is the plug gap? can you tell me more about it?
i am newbie, but i am really to get my hands dirty!!

 

[welfle18]

1. Make sure the engine is at operating temp.
2. Clean area around spark plugs with compressed air so no debris gets in cylinders
3. Remove all spark plugs.
4. Block throttle wide open.
5. Disconnect primary wires from ignition coils also disable fuel.
6. Install gauge in #1 spark plug hole
7. Crank engine over at least 7 compression strokes and watch gauge.

Record highest level on gauge and there you go a quick version of the compression test..

A compression test is good to see how your rings are sealing and also if you have any bent valves or leaking valve or bad head gasket. Its also a good measure to see if you valves have alot of depsoits on them or not giving you a lower reading. Your plug gap is the distance between the electrode and the firing end. Where the spark is generated.