What common tool is used to measure cylinder compression?

The tool that is commonly used to measure cylinder compression is a compression tester. A compression tester measures the pressure produced in the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder during the compression stroke. This is essential for diagnosing engine health, as low compression can indicate issues such as worn piston rings, leaking valves, or head gasket failures. The compression reading can help technicians determine if an engine is operating efficiently and can provide insights into necessary repairs.

In contrast, a torque wrench is designed to apply a specific amount of torque to fasteners, ensuring that they are neither too loose nor too tight, which is important for various assembly tasks but does not measure compression. A multimeter is used primarily for electrical measurements, such as voltage, current, and resistance, and would not be applicable for measuring cylinder compression. Manifold gauges are used in HVAC and refrigeration applications to measure the pressure of gases within refrigeration systems and are not designed for engine compression testing.