[534BC]

It sounds like you are describing a leak down test , and that would work too. A compression test is a pressure gauge inserted into the spark plug hole that measures the cylinder's compression (psi) while cranking.

The pea test (what I call it) is an exhaust gas anylyser and is a fluid that is poured into a container mounted to the radiator neck. The blue fluid turns pea yellow when exhaust gas is present (flowing thru the fluid)