Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual: Cylinder Compression Measurement

Kawasaki Ninja Service Manual / Engine Top End / Cylinder Head / Cylinder Compression Measurement

NOTE

Use the battery which is fully charged.

Warm up the engine thoroughly.
Stop the engine.
Remove the spark plugs (see Spark Plug Replacement in the Periodic Maintenance chapter).
Attach the compression gauge [A] and adapter [B] firmly into the spark plug hole.
Using the startermotor, turn the engine over with the throttle fully open until the compression gauge stops rising; the compression is the highest reading obtainable.

Special Tools - Compression Gauge, 20 kgf/cm²: 57001-221 Compression Gauge Adapter, M10 × 1.0: 57001-1601 L-Shape Hose [C]: 57001-1606

Cylinder Compression Measurement

Cylinder Compression Usable Range: 1 099 1 668 kPa (11.2
17.0 kgf/cm²,
159 242 psi) at 320 r/min (rpm)

Repeat the measurement for the other cylinders.
Install the spark plugs (see Spark Plug Replacement in the Periodic Maintenance chapter).

The following table should be consulted if the obtainable compression reading is not within the usable range.

Problem	Diagnosis	Remedy (Action)
Cylinder compression is higher than usable range	Carbon accumulation on piston and in combustion chamber possibly due to damaged valve stem oil seal and/or damaged piston oil rings (This may be indicated by white exhaust smoke).	Remove the carbon deposits and replace damaged parts if necessary.
Cylinder compression is higher than usable range	Incorrect cylinder head gasket thickness	Replace the gasket with a standard part.
Cylinder compression is lower than usable range	Gas leakage around cylinder head	Replace damaged gasket and check cylinder head warp
	Bad condition of valve seating	Repair if necessary.
	Incorrect valve clearance	Adjust the valve clearance.
	Incorrect piston/cylinder clearance	Replace the piston and/or cylinder.
	Piston seizure	Inspect the cylinder and replace/repair the cylinder and/or piston as necessary.
	Bad condition of piston ring and/or piston ring grooves	Replace the piston and/or the piston rings.

Cylinder Head Removal

Remove: Thermostat Housing (see Thermostat Removal in the Cooling System chapter) Exhaust Pipe (see Exhaust Pipe Removal) Camshafts (see Camshaft Removal) Heat Insulation Plate [A] (see E ...

Other materials:

Crankshaft Main Bearing Insert/Journal Wear Inspection
Split the crankcase (see Crankcase Splitting). Cut strips of plastigage to journal width. Place a strip on each journal parallel to the crankshaft installed in the correct position. Tighten the crankcase bolts to the specified torque (see Crankcase Assembly). NOTE Do not turn ...

Brake Fluid Change
NOTE The procedure to change the front brake fluid is as follows. Changing the rear brake fluid is the same as for the front brake. Level the brake fluid reservoir. Remove: Screw [A] Stopper [B] Front Brake Reservoir Cap [C] Diaphragm Plate Diaphragm Remove the rubb ...

Handlebar Installation
Apply a non-permanent locking agent to the threads of the handlebar positioning bolts and tighten them. Torque - Handlebar Positioning Bolts: 9.8 N·m (1.0 kgf·m, 87 in·lb) Install the steering stem head with handlebars. Install the washer [A] and steering stem head nut [B]. Tighten: ...