i have an 02 srx motor. fresh rings only like 10 miles on the fresh rings and heads are cut .012 compression reading is 100 PSI all the way across. i used this same tester before i put new rings in with heads on the motor that were cut .030 and got 120 PSI all the way across. i think my tester is out of calibration!!! it doesnt seem right to get only 100 psi with fresh rings and cut heads .012 on a 700 srx motor
theres 2 things about compression testers, 1: you will never get a accurate reading unless you spend big coin on a snap on guage and use the thread adapter that takes the place of the spark plug threads, most auto ones are short threaded and give lower readings because of the spark plug hole depth. 2: you get what you pay for in compression guages,the cheaper the guage, the further off it will be, but really you only need to tell 1 thing, and thats if the cylinders are all within 1-10lbs of each other, if they are all the same, dont sweat it. Didnt you say its harder to pull over now??? dont worry your fine, rip it!!!!
The compression will also increase slightly as the motor gets broken in. Some compression testers have a flexible hose between the gauge and the thread adapter. These are pretty worthless as to get an accurate reading because of that hose. Don't know what kind you have, but I thought I'd throw that out there.
yeah it has a 12 inch flexible hose with the adapter the shape of a snowmobile spark plug. it doesnt even have a name brand on it.
If you are serious about checking compression I would look into buying a tester without the hose. I got mine out of the parts unlimited book, but can't remember the brand. It was around $40.