Originally Posted by cmcaldwell
You are right, I don't fully understand how the complete system works. Who should I contact to get a compression test? How much does that cost? Is it a simple test that the guys at Autozone or O'Reilly's can do in 5 minutes, or must I take it in to a "qualified mechanic?"
Buy yourself a compression tester for $20-30 anywhere then do it yourself. Instructions can be found anywhere. A mechanic would probably charge you around $100-$120 for it. Also, when you take the spark plugs out take picture of them and post them. They're a good indicator of what could be wrong in your engine.