This is the same method I use just remove the guage and zip tie a balloon to the end of the hose. You'll for sure know which one is the compression as it'll blow the balloon up almost the size of a 3-4" PVC pipe with a single turn of ur ratchet. Love the videos Eric! U sir have saved the day for me on numerous occasions. After watching my first video of urs I subscribed instantly and literally have found myself on more than 1 occasion coming on here & hunting for ur videos on parts I already know about or how to remove just to see your methods and techniques on how to do it! To me that says a lot about a mechanic! I'd let u work on ANY of my vehicles with the upmost confidence! Keep up the awesome work plz!

Great tip, Eric! It's guys like you that keep guys like me informed to be able to accurately share what we learn, in our own way. Thanks for sharing!

I know this video is over 7 yrs old, BUT FINALLY a super easy understanding way to find TDC. Those videos with the piston stops, balloons, screwdriver, wood dowels, plastic straws in the spark plug hole were confusing and not very accurate. Thanks Eric, glad I found this video.

That's a great idea and better than the 'screwdriver' method I've shown in the past. Just make sure you clean it off before you put it back in the engine. This method is great if you're already doing a leak down test as the hose is already in the cylinder and ready for compressed air.

This is a great way to find TDC on a particular cylinder. For those saying use your thumb or finger and wait for compression to push your digit off, that's great too. Assuming you can reach it. I have both gauges but never used them in this manner as a shade tree guy. I'm working on doing a Timesert insert for a blown sparkplug on my nephews V10 powered Excursion. Try reaching a rear spark plug hole with one arm and rotating the crank with your other. No easy task. Especially as his has 8" of lift and 35" tires. The hood is at my shoulder and I'm 6-4. Regardless this worked great as I need the piston on #9 at TDC to cut new threads and install the insert. Thanks for this. Always learning, always going farther.

Thank you for posting this video. I needed to find the beginning of the compression stroke in order to install a Time-sert spark plug thread repair. Having the gauge hanging next to me under the vehicle while I turned the crankshaft worked well.

Good idea, thanks for the suggestion.

This was a huge help. Thank you! Grabbed a $14 fuel pressure/vacuumed gauge from Harbor freight, worked perfect and came with connections for the spark plug hole.

@Richard5873

2 жыл бұрын

Have tried this on a motorcycle ?

@project1511

Жыл бұрын

@@Richard5873 no, but it should work the same way.

@brianphillippe1694

6 ай бұрын

harbor freight here I come. I know where I am going today.

This worked perfectly on a '98 Chevy 350 Vortec. Needed to replace a distributor that had broken it's plastic base and jumped timing while trying to start on a -33 degree F morning. Being out in that cold, and with 20+mph wind for this, I was really trying to find a way to save time and avoid tearing everything out to see the harmonic balancer... Thanks for the GREAT tip! PS: To all those who mention having these tools laying around or not and whatnot.. I didn't have either the vacuum gauge or the compression tester already. Spent 60 bucks for both. ( Could have gone much cheaper on the comp tester, but I'll use everything again, and it's been on my purchase list for a while.) In my situation, that $60 was well worth my time and agony saved.

for the shade tree mechanic you can put a balloon on end when inflated tdc ,if you pass it deflated

Mucho thanks. Saved me sooo much work as I am working on a BBC (454) in a motorhome with poor access to everything! You are the man! ❤👍

Great and informative video. Finding TDC was easy doing your way. It took longer to purchase the stuff, than to find TDC.

I love finding TDC this way. I dont do it often but when I need to I always look for this video because I always need the quick refresher.

Thank you so much for this! I'm doing an engine swap into my '74 BMW 2002 and nothing anybody said made sense about finding TDC compression stroke. This did! :D

Dude, I've been around gearheads for awhile, never seen it before. Real Cool.

I just did this and it worked beautifully. Great video!

This may not be useful to you but I believe it is useful to others. It's also a much shorter video that I usually post which allows more people to invest in it. It also applies to many other vehicles besides the ones that are normally seen in my videos. This addresses many of the concerns posted about other videos that I've made. If you don't think this 'educates' the viewer then perhaps this video is not for you. Thanks for your input.

I like Dave Farden's idea (below) to just use a hose without a gauge and put the end in your mouth. In my case, I only need to get each piston to the approximate top consecutively in order to replace valve seals (small block chevy). Both rocker arms will be removed before I position each piston, so it doesn't even matter which stroke it's on. Anyway, thanks for the video, it was a big help. I've used a dial indicator in the past to confrim accuracy of TDC on no. 1, but it's a huge PITA. Your method is much easier and quicker for what I need to do.

Thanks eric, this will definitely help as i was planning a leakdown test sometime very soon actually!

Wow bro that is a great tip on how to get to TDC easily! Thank you I have the 30.00 timing light from hobofright gonna get me a 14.00 vacuum pressure tester and Im set!

never thought of it.. Great way to find a TDC!. Thank you...

It works well for tight areas where a screwdriver won't fit like this Subaru and is accurate enough in my opinion. Also, if you're doing a leak down test you can easily hook compressed air up and do the test without removing the hose from the cylinder. For me it's a real time saver.

@jman4169

5 жыл бұрын

Eric got a 1997 honda civic lx D16Y7 motor replaced the water pumpm after following your guid to doing so and no have no compression at all

@reynaldogonzalez8209

2 жыл бұрын

Can I use the normal compression test gauge to find the TDC? Thanks

@bradyf8351

7 ай бұрын

@@jman4169what ended up happening can I get an update

Awesome tip. This actually sounds just as easy as the screw driver method so it becomes whatever tool is easiest and fastest to reach in the toolbox. Very neat thank you.

Awesome Idea Eric, I can see some are a little confused. ut this is a great idea for me. Some engines you cannot turn the crank shaft whole holding your finger over the number one cylinder to find TDC. I think this is accurate as hell, especially if you connect the hoses with fittings instead of wedging them in one anther. I get the point and it's awesome...Thanks mane !

Hey Eric . Great tip . Thanks

Got to say for someone who has talked down on this channel this is a great video

So let me get this right...( pencil in mouth, wondrous look) I need:- Compression gauge and hose to suit.. Manufacturer relative, hose to cylinder block adapter ( spark plug hole bit) Vacuum gauge with PSI and vacuum markings Schrader valve remover Reduced ID vacuum hose Socket and ratchet/strong arm for crank The love of Christ Is that right?

@jimmysapien9961

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds about right .

@donkeydiehard879

2 жыл бұрын

Eh most people that work on cars enough that they need to find TDC have all of these. Also, compression test kit and vacuum gauge kit will have 98% of what you need.

@plucky2115

2 жыл бұрын

yup thats the easiest way unless you want do it the hard way 😅

@SilverBullet93GT

2 жыл бұрын

last one is the most important :)

Nice! Just did this on my 1999 Ford Ranger XLT 2.5L 4 cyl 2wd. Thank you very much

My crankshaft pully is so rusted I cant find the mark... this video is a real life saver! Now I can replace my timing belt!

Thanks Eric. Another quality informative video

Great great video. That you Eric. I plan to use this method soon!!

What a great idea, definately trying this.

Man this is absolutely favorite method I've seen! I sub'd just cause of this video, keep it up 🤘

Awesome stuff EricTheCarGuy. I have to replace a camshaft synchronizer on my Ford and this will help me.

How are you going to find marks for more than just #1 cylinder?

Brilliant idea Eric! great video as well. I am going to use this method on my 88 chevy Scottsdale with 5.7 litre. Similiar to your dads truck. Happy New Years! Yelm,WA

Eric that is a great idea! Very cool, thanks for sharing.

Another great ETCG video!

Tks 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂. I don’t know if I’m learning disabled but had to watch a lot of videos until I finally understood with your video. Tks

Thanks man. So simple, yet overlooked.

Hey, that's a neat trick for V and horizontally opposed engines. Thanks :)

Nice guy, to share his knowledge to all of us,,

awesome tip. definitely a new tool to make for the tool box.

Awesome info! Thanks Eric! I've always used the screwdriver/dipstick method lol.

I shall use this method. First I'll find the compression stroke with this method, and feed th rope into the spark plug well, and then see if it'll go into TDC, but maybe with the rope I won't be able to bring piston to TDC, but I'll be able to tell the piston is as far up as it'll go.

I like your videos and this is a good tip.However the part about looking for a compression leak with "shop " air will work if you regulate the air pressure down to less than about 30 psi. Higher pressure would probably force the piston down and there by open a valve.

Looks pretty good to me. Remember that even using the screwdriver method you still have to see compression, so this method leaves both hands free from the get go. Eric doesn't show working back and forth to get TDC, but I'm sure you could see the exact peak between Psi and vacuum.

Thank you for being a real car guy, time to install my timing tape and advance my timing!

i swear you have the best radio voice

gret tips indeed had a problem timing my old 323 sedan

Hello Eric The Car Guy, long time no write. Great video, and I never thought of that and thanks for sharing this video. I like this better than the clothes hanger method or the paper plug methods.

Great insight lam going to use the Mightyvac vacumn pump that does pressure also

neat idea, another use for tools i had to buy to get out of a jam but seldom use. i would mention that subarus are not too pleased with being turned backwards because of their belt and pulley issues as well as their tensioners. u can cheat a little but , cant recommend it. faster method, spark plug boot thats plugged . really pops when u tap the key at TDC and soft so it jams in nice and saves the threads

Funny you should say that because the valve in my tester was broken and I replaced it with a tire valve. This means the tool shown in the video is using a tire valve. So far, no problems.

The most accurate way of finding TDC that I have found is to do as Eric has done and then to fine tune it, push on some clear tubing and allow it to droop in a "U" shape. Put a little liquid into the tube and then work the crankshaft back and forth a bit. The liquid will move in the tubing up and down on each side. The point at which it changes directions is exactly TDC.

@jonny5ive167

5 жыл бұрын

what adapter do I need to screw into the spark plug hole?

Thank you for sharing it’s a big help, your are very smart,

Yea, that's about it.

I believe you could do that very thing using this method to find TDC.

If you do not have a vacuum gauge, you can simply use a balloon, it will inflate on compression stroke. Then use screw driver to fine tune...

@mitsumike6g729

4 жыл бұрын

Someone watched old school Funk and is trying to be a teacher now ... get the fuck out of here LMFAO

@jimmysapien9961

3 жыл бұрын

@@mitsumike6g729 haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

very cool way of finding tdc thanks for sharing, ive always hated the screwdriver way since its not all to accurate or easy, especially on subarus :)

Pretty awesome Eric

Nice trick.... thanks

great vieo eric.good method which I will remmber and use next time.thanx....max

Thank You Eric

When finances permit I'm hoping to get a TDI of some sort to replace the Subaru.

Nice job Eric good video.

Cool Idea, Eric. I wonder how accurate it is, though for a leak down I don't suppose it has to be exact.

Yes, have you reminded somewhere in the video that matching time marks can only work to find the TDC for cylinder one?

I don't believe that would be an issue unless there was a LOT of slack in the belt. Also, even if you employed a different method you'd still have to move the crank back and forth to find TDC. In short there's no way around it really.

thank you Eric

Tks!!!!! Eric worked great

Good work done well

thanks for the tip!

Like a Boss Eric, Thanks.

I love this method and I am going to try it. My timing is off on My K5 Blazer and I the timing marks are wrong.

I'm sure this method has been around a while, but I feel like I just saw magic .... This will help me replace my valve springs .... Thanks!!!

You didn't mention that the newer compression gauges don't seem to have a removable Schrader valve. That's also what the people at Advanced Auto Parts confirmed as well.

I'm a Subaru guy myself, but I love TDIs although VWs can be expensive to repair and usually require a lot of maintenance.

I have the vacum/compression gauge but am not for sure that I'm top dead center. I think I'll run a piece of solid wire down the tube and bump the motor back and forth in addition to the vacum/ compression gauge. I can see where a clear hose atteached to the test hose with liquid added would do the trick as well. Thanks Eric. I've got the stay dirty part down pat, not sure if I'm having fun yet. LOL!

@darylhawes4236

8 жыл бұрын

+ILTSYC love it another thinking man.its the best and easiest way on diesels 2 . dummy pipe on number one at fuel pump and watch for spill

@RC-Heli835

8 жыл бұрын

That's a good idea as well. The positive / negative vacum gauge worked on the cylinders that weren't affected by the blown head gasket. Liquid in a tube worked best for me. You don't happen to need a decent wrench man do you?

Thank You Eric ... #Calgary #Canada

Thanx a lot!

You the Man Eric!!!!😊

thats a great idea, you should try to do more diesel related things

An even simpler way (fewer tools) to do this is rotate the engine the same way it normally turns with a ratchet while putting your thumb over the spark plug hole until you feel pressure (compression stroke) then stick a long zip tie down the spark plug hole (long enough that it can't fall down into the cylinder) then continue to rotate the engine while watching the zip tie as it's pushed back out the spark plug hole. When it stops you've found (or are very close to) top dead center on the compression stroke. You can even rock the engine back and forth to be sure while watching the zip tie.

@DENicholsAutoBravado

9 жыл бұрын

When you can't reach both it's a life saver.

@177SCmaro

9 жыл бұрын

DE Nichols Both what?

@DENicholsAutoBravado

9 жыл бұрын

Both the spark plug hole and turning the crank. Referring to feeling for the air movement to know it's the compression stroke.

@DENicholsAutoBravado

9 жыл бұрын

Granted if you can see your timing marks that shouldn't be necessary.

@177SCmaro

9 жыл бұрын

DE Nichols Watching the timing marks usually only tells you if your at TDC and it can be on either intake/exhaust overlap or the compression stroke (50/50 chance). Also you don't absolutely need to have access to the crank bolt and the spark plug hole. You could also do this by putting a small piece of a paper towel in the spark plug hole (so that it can't fall in) and bump the starter with the ignition key until it pops out to find the compression stroke, then stick something like a zip tie in and continue to bump it until you're close to TDC compression stroke (best to do this with all spark plugs removed so the engine doesn't kick back). Or just pull the valve/cam cover and watch the valves. I have a solid roller cam in my Camaro, I'm always looking for lazy ways to adjust valves. But the best way, for me, is to set TDC Compression number 1 and turn the crank 90 degrees fallowing the firing order (dampener with 90 degree marks is a must).

Instead of a compression gauge, you could also fit a simple whistle in the hose coming from the compression meter hose. When the whisle starts making noise, the engine is in the compression stroke, when it stops, your at TDC.

True, but if your timing an engine from scratch say for example an engine rebuild or replacing a broken belt, TDC is when the piston reaches it's highest point regardless, because you will have the camshaft(s) in the correct position anyway.

Nice Job.. Thanks

its just a one way valve, you are absolutely correct that they are the same.

Great 👍🏻, next how to adjust the distributor?

Holy crap you fricken wizard! This works amazing! Helped with my walnut blasting

Yes but in this case this is a working engine with timing belt installed and you didn't specify that part in your first post, so yes you are right but in this very case you can't use that method. And thanks for staying calm and explaining your point, seems it's a lost art these days on youtube :-)

Genius! Bookmarked!

wow ive gotta try this out! i have to find tdc on my sbc 350...

thanks Eric.

Hey Eric long time viewer, love you're videos, very informative, when will you start working on German cars, like vw's :-)

that was a great one

Thank you!!!

I think this is a very good idea, especially on that type of motor. However, wouldn't turning the crank backwards cause you to jump timing on some engines? Honda motors come into mind cause when you reverse the crank the tensioner is no longer in play. Otherwise, this is brilliant and a great example of thinking outside the box.

Gotta get me one of those!!

I will try this method to install my cam shaft sensor.