Is it totally necessary to remove ALL plugs?

Im reading that it is preferred for best results, but that its main benefit is to reduce starter strain/battery drain.

As my cylinder of concern is #8, can I just remove the ones on the passenger side?

 

If you want accurate numbers, yes, you pull all the plugs, the fuel pump relay and wedge the t/body open, or you can do it any way you want cause you don't seem to believe the information you have already been given.

 

Easy man.

Its not disbelief.

When researching how to do the tests, there are a bunch of people saying that you can remove all the plugs for ultimate accuracy, but not necessary to get a general idea of cylinder health.

I have welding gloves, but removing all the plugs on this engine while hot is a bit perilous, so Im just double checking the necessity of it.

 

How much time do I have to get everything out and run the test before the engine is no longer considered "hot"?

 

For best results remove them, but if just comparing all of the cylinders to each other you could do them one at a time. As long as the conditions are the same for each test you should get somewhat useful results. Either leave them all in or take them all out. Wide open throttle is easy so do that too. Personally hot sounds too dangerous for my hands.

 

Yeah, this was the main point of the posts from other sites.


Haha, I agree! Wouldnt be doing it, but it seems like the misfires are worst when it gets to temp so probably best to test then.

 

By removing the plugs adjacent to the cylinder you're testing you'll more easily find any low compression due to cross cylinder leakage. If you're only testing #8 then just remove #6 also. But if you're doing a compression test you might as well test all cylinders.
It doesn't take long to remove all the plugs so you can still consider the engine hot. Use a spark plug socket that has a rubber plug grip inside it, then you don't have to get your fingers so near the hot bits.