FAA Powerplant Written Practice Test

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Prepare for the FAA Powerplant Written Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Practice this question and more.

If low compression is obtained on a cylinder during a check, what should be done next?

Remove the cylinder for inspection.
Run the engine and check the compression again.
Replace the spark plug.
Wait for the engine to cool down.

The correct answer is: Run the engine and check the compression again.

The best course of action when low compression is found in a cylinder is to reevaluate the engine's performance by running it and checking the compression again. This approach recognizes that variations can occur due to several factors, such as engine temperature or the condition of the spark plugs, which could affect the initial compression readings. Running the engine can help to warm it up, potentially improving the compression if the cause was related to being cold or other temporary issues. In practice, low compression could be a momentary situation, and running the engine may allow it to reach optimal operational conditions. Moreover, it could reveal whether the issue persists after the engine has warmed up, leading to a more informed decision about whether further diagnoses or repairs, such as inspecting the cylinder or the valves, are necessary. Other options might lead to unnecessary work or could miss the opportunity for a simple reassessment of the situation.