Ive got a 98 and id like to do a compression check on my cylinders..how do I do this? Or, if I understand correctly, I can also check for spark to test the cylinder to make sure its not dead...how do you do this?

Ive lost some power and Im hearing a "cricket" under the hood at idle. I have not lost any oil, temps are normal.

thanks for your help!

 

The cricket is most likely a pulley or something...

If a spark plug is bad, or you've lost compression in a cylinder, you'll know it right away since the engine will sound VERY different. You'd hear a miss.

If you want to check compression, but, I think its a waste of time IMO (but, I don't know your situation) either rent or buy a compression tester. Its just an oversized tire pressure gage with a threaded end to put into the spark plug holes.

Take out all spark plugs, turn over the engine when the compression tester is installed in oen cylinder, repeat for all. They should all be relatively the same spec.

Since you've already got your plugs out, then you could check to see if they need to be replaced.

What other symptoms are you experiencing?