can you use this as a compression tester?

No. With a compression tester, the engine is cranked over with the spark and fuel systems disengaged. The compression stroke is what generates the pressure that is read on the gauge. It's used to see if the cylinder can produce adequate pressure during a stroke or if air is escaping somewhere (like past piston rings, or through non-sealing valves, for example). It will not, however, help you locate a leak.With a leakage tester like this one, compressed air is supplied through the spark plug hole into the cylinder through the use of an air compressor. One meter will read you the amount of air pressure you put in, the other will read you the amount of air that stays in the cylinder. This will show you a percentage of air that is leaking. With a constant supply of air going into the cylinder, you can then look and/or listen for leaks. Sometimes the air is escaping past the rings into the crank case, sometimes past an intake valve or exhaust valve that is not closing for some reason, and in some case the air might be leaking past the head gasket into another cylinder.Different tools, different process. I'd buy both.

What would be a good compressor to use with this?

Any compressor that has a tank. And an built 120psi. I would say probably atleast one of the pancake compressors with the 1.5 gallon tank you need the volume from it to sustain the 100 psi in the cylinder. And enough to were if it does lack it doesn't have to turn on to build preasure. But I have a 3 gallon tank and it works great. I have resently put a bigger tank on it becuase of my impact guns. They needed more volume so I hosed in a 15 gallon tank and tied it into my hose. The compressor takes a little longer to fill ip the tanks know but I multiplied the tank size by 5. It is a realy nice tool. I use it all the time. I did let it sit for a while once and you should apply a light coat of oil to the rubber hoses or they will start to get stiff. But that's what rubber does.

audi 4.2l v8 how do you tighten the fitting into the very deep well spark plug hole? Is finger tight by twisting the hose good enough?

Just snug the fitting into the cylinder hole by gently twisting the hose if you can't snug the fitting in with a wrench. If needed, put a rag on the hose, to protect it, and tighten just a little bit more with a slip-joint pliers. Over tightening the fitting will just ruin the o-ring. Apply a small amount of silicone lubricant to the o-ring to lube it before use. The o-ring will then make a "wet" seal and won't bind-up as it's being tightened . DO NOT use any petroleum-based lubricant to lube the o-ring because it breaks down rubber over time. I also do all this when using a compression tester. Have fun!

can you use this tool AS IS to presurize a cylinder to change vavle springs on an engine?

I believe you can use this tool to hold the valve closed while removing the valve spring if you unlock the valve stem keepers first. I do it all of the time and use 100 PSI of air pressure. The piston has to be at bottom dead center. You can also remove the spark plug, insert a flexible rope (cloth drying rope) in the cylinder when the piston is at the bottom of the stroke, rotate the crankshaft to squeeze together near top dead center to hold the valve up while the valve spring is taken off and put back on. It takes longer this way but you do not need the tool or air pressure.

Manufacturer	OTC
Brand	OTC
Model	5609
Product Dimensions	23.37 x 26.04 x 11.3 cm; 1.79 g
Item model number	5609
Manufacturer Part Number	5609
OEM Part Number	5609
Item Weight	1.79 g

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