Okay I will redo it this weekend. There was a little bit of grit when I pull out the spark plugs and also the tester, could this be affecting the compression? And if so how would I clean all that out?

One last thing, should I also just rent a diagnostic checker so after I am doing this stuff I can get the codes and tell all of you?

Also I really appreciate the help everyone!!!!

 

Do you still have the sparkplug shields on that motor if so remove them, with the spark-plugs still in the motor use a pick/screwdriver and clean around the plugs, then use compressed air to blow all the junk out (wear safety glass please). Then start your test over. If no compressor use air in a can like for cleaning a computer out.

 

Do I just rip them off with a pliers?

 

Yes sir or visegrips, they can be a pita to remove, might even break a couple of plugs in the process.

 

What if i threw the old plugs in when I was doing it?

 

yep that would work just fine

 

My husband and I baught this used 98 dodge Ram 1500 and its non stop issues, we origionaly got a cilinder 8 misfire code come up when the check engine light came on... my husband did some work on it replaced the altinator,distributer cap, crank shaft positioning censor, rocker inside the distributer. the truck will turn off when we first start it unless we have our foot on the gas, then if you reverse b4 its all warmed up it will shut off.. going forward isnt such an issue but is sometimes, expecially when going from reverse to drive. Also blinkers dont work when we are breaking so we have to manually turn on and off the blinker (feel so ghetto!) The truck is making a humming noise that just started. The truck has a lack of power. My fear is if we dont figure out whats going on my husband will continue to just keep working on it and it will never really fix the issue which means $$$$$$$$$ =( not ok with it. Please someone help up figure out whats going on. I am going out of town soon and my husband needs to be able to use his truck at this point i am fearing it will just die on him! Also check engine light hasnt come back on in over a month but today it came on for a second and then went off.. so I couldnt take it in to get read. Please someone help!

 

If the truck has that many issues, then you need to take it to a competent mechanic.

 

Okay, something must have been wrong with that compression tester. This morning before work I went out and did it again on the first cylinder and only got it to go up to 70?

I am going to take the shields off and clean then retest it with a new tester and I will let you all know the results

 

Sounds like the pressure relief valve is sticking on that compression gauge. Hopefully a new on will yeild you better results.