1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

XTool, Relitive Compression Test / Power Balance Test

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by tkc100, Jul 23, 2024 at 10:29 PM.

  1. tkc100

    tkc100 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2016
    56
    18
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I recently viewed a YouTube review on the XTool D7 scanner. The reviewer indicated that the D7 was capable of doing a relative compression /power balance test. When I contacted Xtool I was told that the scanner can indeed do a compression/power balance test, but the 2007 Prius does not support that function. Before I even contacted XTool I questioned how that could be possible with a Prius. In the past, with other diagnostic equipment on a conventional car with a conventional starter this task was done by monitoring the fluctuation in the current draw. Since a Prius doesn't have a starter, I was wondering how this could be done and as it turns out it can't be. At least not with this particular piece of test equipment. A long time ago, once again on a conventional vehicle, with the old-style ignition system I had a test meter that would cancel one cylinder at a time and measure the RPM drop.
    I'm scratching my head wondering if a similar thing could be done on a Prius by canceling either the ignition coils or injectors. Does anyone know if there is a scan tool out there that can cancel either the ignition coils or injectors selectively? I think that the ThinkDiag can selectively cancel injectors, but I don't know if it can do that on a GEN II Prius.
    I know the shortcomings of a relative compression test, but I have used it as a go no go test.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    9,221
    1,618
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I think the Toyota software has some kind of testing like you're talking about I don't know about dropping individual cylinders and all that I think usually a scope you do that with or you did do that with in the old days I don't know what they do now compression is too easy to check generally speaking you know you have it or you don't If it can blow your finger out of the way generally it should be able to run not necessarily well matter of fact I can't think of the last time I've even done a compression check per se even on small engines like lawn mowers and chainsaws to be honest about it I usually put my finger over the spark plug hole turn the flywheel around and see what I've got I guess after doing this for a very long time pretty good indication of what you got going on No there are no numbers but I don't need something to give me numbers per se I guess if you wanted to check cylinder to cylinder but generally speaking when things like that start to go on you're so far down the list on things wrong it's going to be interesting find out whether the people are going to fix the stuff usually not.
     
  3. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,483
    1,587
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Relative compression is one of my "favorite" tests to run on a scope. Lots of good data in that waveform.

    However, I was never able to get anything useful on a Prius. I scoped the HV battery feed while commanding a "cranking" compression test. It seems that the inverter switching electronics "smooths out" the current draw. Might get something from an amp clamp around a feed wire to MG1, but that's a PIA to access.

    That said, you might get a little something by unplugging injectors one at a time (in maintenance mode) and seeing how much RPM drop you had before the ECM compensated.

    If I remember, unplugging a coil causes the ECM to shut the engine down (if it loses the IGf signal from the coil, it won't trigger the injectors - weird Toyota logic).

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    vvillovv likes this.
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    9,221
    1,618
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I believe you all checked out any of these pocket scopes that are all the rave on the internet and wherever they are now FNI RSI comes to mind Very colorful display and all kinds of functions that can fit in your pocket they seem pretty cool I've never spent much time with oscilloscopes and looking at waveforms personally but I guess it's going to come back into popularity again with electric cars waveforms and all that.
     
  5. tkc100

    tkc100 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2016
    56
    18
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I keep forgetting what I'm working on. Other than it has four wheels, burns gas, and goes down the road, nothing about a Prius is like the cars that I used to work on. However, I am learning and enjoying the trip.
    Most of the timeo_O
    After reading the very long thread reviewing and commenting on different scanners, I am purchasing the ThinkDiag. I do not know if it has any features that would assist me in this endeavor.
    What is injector coding?
    What follows is from the Toyota service manual.
    Does the ThinkDiag have any similar functions?
    Install the compression gauge in the spark plug hole.
    Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
    Turn the power switch ON (IG).
    Select the following items:
    DIAGNOSIS / OBD/MOBD / HV ECU I ACTIVE
    TEST I COMPRESS TEST
    Turn the power switch ON (IG) while depressing the
    brake pedal. Then, measure the compression of each cylinder.
    You know the more I think about it, it might be simpler and better just to do a cylinder leakage test. All I would have to do is put the cylinder on top dead center and block the crankshaft.
    What is the firing order for this little engine and what is the direction of rotation?
    Can you think of anything that would preclude me from doing a cylinder leakage test? Is there anything that I am not thinking about or don't know?

    Yes, Tombukt2 scopes have come back. Used to be only nerdy E.E. boys used them and could justify the cost. But now they are a very useful tool and the cost, even for a nice one is certainly affordable.
     
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    9,221
    1,618
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Firing order for most Toyotas is 1342 if I'm not mistaken and then a 1NZ would almost never need to worry about compression but in the 2ZZ I imagine it's quite a bit of worry. The same 2ZZ in Corolla almost never has to have a compression check well nothing ever has to have one but I mean on a Corolla you don't ever hear of a shop thing but we need to run a compression check on the Corolla but apparently in the Prius mechanics and people want to know something. I've never done a compression check on any of the Prius that we've owned so far . And I have and owned the whole sap-on compression test set I've rarely used it on any engine to be honest about it
     
  7. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
    3,483
    1,587
    0
    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Some "direct" (high pressure) injectors have their characteristics defined by a code, and that needs to be entered into the ECM if an injector is replaced. That isn't needed for normal port injectors.

    Engine rotation is CW.

    ThinkDiag has pretty much every menu function that Techstream does. The only downside is that you have to pay a subscription every 12 months or it stops working (except for generic OBD2).

    So yes, it has the "compression test" function (spins the engine at 250 RPM - be sure to READ the service manual instructions - sometimes the scantools get this wrong & it won't work).

    A leakdown test is useful, as long as you understand it's limits. (got a GM 3.6 right now with a hard miss, no compression on #6, but leakdown is 4% - care to guess the cause?)

    I LUV scopes. Have many. Pico's my favorite.



    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 mr_guy_mann, Jul 26, 2024 at 11:07 PM
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2024 at 11:12 PM
    vvillovv likes this.
  8. tkc100

    tkc100 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2016
    56
    18
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I am not familiar with GM 3.6 liter engine and to assume anything on today's engines is a mistake. The engineers have gone out of their way to make some very exotic valve trains.
    No compression and 4% leak down. Not knowing anything else, I would guess the intake valve for whatever reason is not opening.
    I would have to study up on how the valve train works before doing anything. If you had a boreascope, I suppose you could look and check the cylinder walls before tearing anything apart, but I have never seen cylinder walls so scored that no pressure could be generated.
    I think the old-fashioned vacuum gauge would allow you to eliminate anything but the valve train. Provided you can find a place to get manifold vacuum.

    Thanks for adding to my education. Working on cars can be fun when it's not for money.:)

    When you said clockwise is that standing in front of the engine? (On the passenger side)

    I will run a compression test or cylinder leakage test or both on my little car's engine as soon as it cools down a bit. Too hot to work outside right now! I just acquired the car in February and the engine has no apparent problems. But it has 135,000 plus miles on it, and I would like to ascertain, as best I can, its condition. The first oil analysis did not indicate anything to be concerned with, other than a bit of fuel dilution.
    This was the first oil change and the oil I had tested was the oil that came in the engine when I purchased the car. From the service records it appears as though the oil was changed every 5000 miles, but that's all I know. More will be revealed in the next oil change.
    Can you think of any precautions, things I might not be aware of when doing these tests?
     
  9. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    3,693
    1,303
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I was intrigued here at first by the smoothing behavior you think happens in the inverter IGBT's and assorted other electronic components in there. Mostly due to all the fuss in the 13 pages of @AzusaPrius thread edit> titled> project lithium smoother test, and how it went way off the rails after the recent report of a nexcell melthdown in an ole Gen 2 and the appearance of honda insight engineer mutter and his interest in putting nexcell out of business or should I say compete with what mudder calls defective by design.

    Ok not that that's out of the way,\
    The real thing I"m interested in learning more about from your post is if the IGf signal is at all related to the IGBT.s inside the inverter, because from watching Professor Kellys video about the inverters, I have the impression that the IGBT's are one of, if not the, the big player in the conversion and stepping of the hi voltage both ways, in and out of the motors and battery.
     
    #9 vvillovv, Jul 28, 2024 at 10:29 AM
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2024 at 10:38 AM