Originally Posted by Aaron Cake

The Mazda compression tester is the quickest and easiest way to determine the compression of a rotary engine. However, since these units are quite expensive, we can assume you don't have one. If you do, then obviously you wouldn't be reading this document so there's no real point in telling you how to use it. A simple tester can be made by using a standard automotive compression gauge. Remove the one way check valve, and install the tester into the leading (lower) spark plug hole in the front rotor. Make sure your battery is fully charged, remove the EGI fuse, then floor the pedal and crank the engine while an observer looks at the gauge. You are not looking for excellent numbers, just three even bounces above 70 PSI. If the rotor has lost one apex seal, you will get one strong bounce followed by two very low bounces. If all seals are damaged, then you will get three bounces that barely register on the gauge. Repeat for the other rotor.