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View Full Version : Compresion Issues, Long Post


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Gravy
09-12-2006, 10:42 PM
I've got a few things to answer, so bear with me if i forget an answer.

When looking at all of the exahst runners #2 and 4 are very clean, only small amounts of black soot as i'd call it, but no build ups. One was bad due to an exauhst leak, and actually got oil dripping into it once or twice, so there was a larger deposit around the outside, but the insides and the exauhst mani it's self was clean. #3, or the problem child as i'm starting to think of it, was horrible. There were actually resting deposits of soot or black powder in the runner and when looking up into the valves, it was coated black. Almost like there was a never ending hole. Anyways, the coolant lvl's are fine, and i'm getting no bubles coming out of the system when i pull the radiator cap when it's running. Both warm and cold.

Compresions were done on a mix of conditions. All tests were done in neutral(of course) on level ground by simply pushing on the starter button. Every time the engine was cold but the last time i did it with the 145 reading, but the plugs were still cool enough i could touch them by hand and it wasn't very hot. Otherwise the car had sat for 4+ hours and was just above room temp or cold. Not anywhere near operating temp.

Also, something i though of that's starting to scare me. WHen i look down the piston when there's good compresion the top of the piston looks new, shiny and clean. But when i'm getting shity compresion it's got oil on the piston. Shouldn't that burn on a little bit? I find it odd that it's nice and shiny. Don't recall the other pistons being dirty or clean.

Would a possible valve guide cause similar issues? I've yet to re-build an engine and doing so alone will be interesting to say the least. I've pulled a motor and removed the head once before. With our cars, can you remove the pistons, aka do a rebuild with the engine still in the car? I know on the old Escort you could pull the pan and remove them that way. Just getting them back in there was a bit harder(from the top of course).

Compresion tester is good. If i was getting f'd up readings on other cylinders i'd think it was bad. But getting no more then 2 PSI difference on all of the other 3 i'd think it's a good tester. The tester himself may not be the smartest one around, but it was done the same every time with similar issues.

Is a leak down tester something you get from a parts store or make yourself? I'll do some research tomorow and look more into this. But for now still fishing for some ideas and your input. Thanks for all the information and helpful ideas.

b00stcreep21
09-12-2006, 11:26 PM
do a hot compression test and see what you come up w/

tim
09-12-2006, 11:48 PM
Is a leak down tester something you get from a parts store or make yourself? I'll do some research tomorow and look more into this. But for now still fishing for some ideas and your input. Thanks for all the information and helpful ideas.

A leak down tester is a gauge set that allows you to pressurize a cylinder and look for leaks. It allows in say 100psi and you see how much it leaks down, say 20psi. Then you would have 20% leakage.

The nice thing about it is you can listen/look for leaks. If there is air coming out the tb you might have a bad intake valve/seat/spring. If you hear air coming out the exhaust you know it is a burnt exhaust valve seat/spring etc. If you take off the radiator cap and see bubbles then probably a headgasket.

A great tool for internal diagnosis, you do however need a decent air compressor.

I bought this el cheapo off ebay. Works well. There are some buy it nows if you dont want to bid. Otherwise I am sure LSE or DB or MAP could do it for you cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/U-S-GENERAL-CYLINDER-LEAK-DOWN-TESTER_W0QQitemZ120031287451QQihZ002QQcategoryZ439 89QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Gravy
09-13-2006, 12:11 AM
Can't do a warm comp test atm, exauhst mani is off for the new one, gasket is en-Rout and valve cover is off. Tomorow i'm going to set the engine to TDC and look around a bit to see what i find out, and where to go from there. Gona finish preping the exauhst

Thanks for the post, i have a 80 gallon tank of air compressed at 120 psi in the garage, so i should be good for a leak down test. I'll check to see if work has one tomorow, if they do i can rent it for free. If it's a bad ring//piston how can you tell it's leaking then? Losing presure with no sign of where it's going?

b00stcreep21
09-13-2006, 09:31 AM
you're not going to get consistant compression test results with the engine cold. same with the leakdown test. get ur exhaust mani back on, throw on the valve cover, and warm that baby up

joem
09-13-2006, 09:45 AM
Bad plug wire or plug? Washing the walls of the cylinder with gas dropping compression?
Joe

Gravy
09-13-2006, 10:41 AM
I've switch plugs, but i fail to see how the gas would drop compresion. I could see it raising the compresion, but not droping it. I think i'm going to put everything back together and try taking the car for a spin. Warm it up and check compresion, and hopefully a leak down test *Crosses Fingers*.

Also, no gas smell to the oil, or layer of liquid on top of the dip stick.

I've had plug wire issues with that cylinder for a while, had to get new wires because the #3 wasn't carying a spark about 3 weeks ago, new plugs less then a week ago.

s1ngletracker
09-13-2006, 10:56 AM
DSMs have dished pistons that hold puddles of oil, if you pour oil into the cylinder, it probably won't even make it's way to the rings and the compression will go up because you increased the compression ratio with the oil.

OK, nevermind that then! :) I'm used to hondas ;)

joem
09-13-2006, 11:04 AM
If you soak the engines wall with gas compression can slip pass the rings.
Joe

s1ngletracker
09-13-2006, 11:50 AM
If you soak the engines wall with gas compression can slip pass the rings.
Joe

...not to mention cause accelerated wear on your cylinder walls from the lack of the coat of oil on the cylinders... causing permanent damage and loss of compression, and increased oil consumption.