Ever wonder how your mechanic does a compression test? 
Itook a van in for testing and the guy showed me.
He jacks up one rear wheel and leaves the transmission in top gear. Then rotate the wheel which is off the ground, by hand. You can feel the compression in the individual cylinders. Bear in mind these guys are working on cars all day and know what it should feel like. If all four cylinders feel the same, engine is probably ok.
It's not as fancy as wet and dry readings with a gauge, but you don't run the risk of damaging the spark plug holes. BTW Never unscrew your spark plugs when your engine is hot!
Geoff
Perth WA Oz.
82 Trakka camper
>rom:    Max/Joyce Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
.>bject: Re: '93 Eurovan Engine/Tranny Replacement
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