Ford 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual page 846

1. If compression improves considerably, piston rings are faulty.
2. If compression does not improve, valves are sticking or seating incorrectly.
3. If two adjacent cylinders indicate low compression pressures and squirting oil on each piston
does not increase compression, the head gasket may be leaking between cylinders. Engine oil
or coolant in cylinders could result from this condition.
Use the Compression Pressure Limit Chart when checking cylinder compression so that the
lowest reading is within 75 percent of the highest reading.
Cylinder Leakage Detection
When a cylinder produces a low reading, use of the Engine Cylinder Leak Detection/Air Pressurization
Kit will be helpful in pinpointing the exact cause.
The leakage detector is inserted in the spark plug hole, the piston is brought up to dead center on the
compression stroke, and compressed air is admitted.
Once the combustion chamber is pressurized, a special gauge included in the kit will read the
percentage of leakage. Leakage exceeding 20 percent is excessive.
While the air pressure is retained in the cylinder, listen for the hiss of escaping air. A leak at the intake
valve (6507) will be heard in the throttle body (9E926). A leak at the exhaust valve (6505) can be
heard at the tail pipe. Leakage past the piston rings will be audible at the positive crankcase ventilation
(PCV) connection. If air is passing through a blown head gasket to an adjacent cylinder, the noise will
be evident at the spark plug hole of the cylinder into which the air is leaking. Cracks in the cylinder
block or gasket leakage into the cooling system may be detected by a stream of bubbles in the radiator
(8005).
Oil Consumption Test
The following diagnostic procedure is used to determine the source of excessive internal oil
consumption.
1. NOTE: Oil use is normally greater during the first 16,100 km (10,000 miles) of service. As
mileage increases, oil use generally decreases. Vehicles in normal service should get at least
1,450 km per liter (900 miles per quart) after 16,000 km (10,000 miles) of service. High speed
driving, towing, high ambient temperature and other factors may result in greater oil use.
Define excessive oil consumption, such as the number of miles driven per liter (quart) of oil
used. Also determine customer's driving habits, such as sustained high speed operation,
towing, extended idle and other considerations.
2. Verify that the engine has no external oil leak as described under Engine Oil Leaks in the
Diagnosis and Testing portion of this section.
3. Verify that the engine has the correct oil level dipstick (6750).
4. Verify that the engine is not being run in an overfilled condition. Check the oil level at least five
minutes after a hot shutdown with the vehicle parked on a level surface. In no case should the
level be above MAX or the letter F in FULL. If significantly overfilled, carry out Steps 6a through
6d.
5. Verify the spark plugs are not oil saturated. If the spark plugs are oil saturated and compression
is good it can be assumed the valve seals or valve guides are at fault.