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How do you know when a cylinder is TDC?

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Old Sep 12, 2010 | 12:46 AM
  #1  
HondaAccordEX94's Avatar
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Default How do you know when a cylinder is TDC?

I was reading a little on a couple of sites about compression tests, and one mentioned that after doing the compression test, if one of the cylinders is weaker than the other, you need to do something called a "Cylinder leak down test" where you buy a special gauge that goes in the spark plug hole of the cylinder in question to tell you the percentage of compression drop. First, the cylinder has to be at TDC.

The site didn't explain, so I took a guess like I always do, but since I'm generally wrong, I figured I'd ask. lol. My guess was this: Take the valve cover off and, with plugs removed, turn the belt until the valves are closed. Am I right or close?
 
Old Sep 12, 2010 | 09:07 AM
  #2  
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I believe you need to turn the crank pulley. You should have markings on most of your gears to tell you when your at TDC
 
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 09:07 AM
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Default Tdc

This is the #1 cyl that is at its crest just before beginning downward stroke. Your firing order will tell you which cylinder and your lobe from inside your distribitor cap will be pointing toward that cyl as well.
 
Old Nov 1, 2010 | 12:34 PM
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1994 should have the marks on the crank pulley. Use the single mark (TDC) rather than the set of 3 (spark-timing marks @ 15-before-TDC).

You should also find some way to lock the crankshaft into position so it absolutely cannot spin. If you're not perfectly positioned at TDC, the pressure you put into the cylinder will be pushing the piston down. If it starts spinning in the opposite direction, it might skip a tooth on the timing belt.
 
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