Compression & Leak Down Testing Cost

[badger.]

Hi folks. I am looking at getting a compression and/or leakdown test on my engine prior to performing the timing chain service. However, I asked for a quote from a local shop and they said:

"The compression test would be $375.00. Add $180.00 to include a leakdown test."

This seems high to me... I tried seacrching on here for some other peoples' costs but only found one thread where someone paid $508 for both, from a dealership. Googling costs on a v8 compressions test showed some inconclusive results in the sub $200 range.

What have you paid for a compression test? A leakdown test?


I wanted to make sure my engine was still relatively healthy before dumping the money into it (over 160k miles now). Do I need both these tests, or can I get away with just one or the other?

Thanks!

[65vetteC6]

compression should be an hour of labor. Not sure on the leakdown. Leakdown can tell you more about the health of the valves, cylinder walls etc.

[jvitelli17]

Before i bought my B7 i went to a local shop near the seller, took them 45 minutes and i gave the guy $100. I didn't get a leakdown test because my compression numbers were +/- 5 from each other and the guy had paper work stating he had the timing service done along with the head machined and valves replaced.

I would figure around $200/250 for both but $500 makes me just

[drdljones]

My '06 S4 is dead in my driveway, contacted a mobile mechanic to come and bore scope the engine and do compression test to see if I need an new engine or if I can rebuild mine. Coming to my house and doing comp. test and bore scope all cylinders = $100. Seems like $500 is a bit high.

[viridia]

A compression test should cost you $29.99 plus tax

[badger.]

Gotdamn, seems like all the mechanics around here are terrible. The other shop I contacted didn't even quote me, just said "With that many miles and your planed repairs It would probably be best to remove the heads and have the valves checked."

I don't have any symptoms of bad compression or leak by, I just want a dang compression test without spending $500.

Can anyone recommend a shop or mechanic in the Louisville, KY area? Or even Cincinnati at this point. Of the three "indy" shops claiming to specialize in Euro/Audi/VW cars, one I won't return to because they failed trying to do a simple alignment 3 times in a row, the other is exorbitantly expensive, and apparently this third place wants to take my heads off rather than just quote me for a dang test.

[badger.]

A compression test should cost you $29.99 plus tax

Not sounding like a bad idea at this point.

[65vetteC6]

Not sounding like a bad idea at this point.

Just do it yourself, its not to hard. Takes about 15 minutes after the engine is warmed up.

[jvitelli17]

Just do it yourself, its not to hard. Takes about 15 minutes after the engine is warmed up.

I was just going to recommend this, honestly you can find kits for $40-50 (maybe less) and once the engine is warm then pull all the coil packs out and test each cylinder one by one. Just put the tester in the cylinder and crank her over!

If you can still drive it fine i would say do the compression yourself!

[Tjtalan]

Compression test is relatively simple on any vehicle. Leak down test on a B6 S4 is labor intensive, requires two people, one to spin the engine by hand, and the other to work the gage. We charge $105 for compression and $199 for leak down.