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Gravy
09-12-2006, 01:34 AM
I've run into compresion issues on a car. I know most of you will say "Rebuild that shią!" But, i don't have the time, or the money atm to rebuild, and i'm seeing if i can fix the problem simply.

Symptoms are as follows. About 2 months ago when i first got the car i had 150-150-145-150 compresion. NO issues and the car was ok. Then randomly i get intermitent acceleration issues. Figured i have two studs missing, it's an exauhst leak and i'm sometimes leaking and sometimes not. New gasket and fixed the studs... Notice better spool up from port job, boost spike is fixed and no more creeping. Problem fixed? Thought so.

Five nights ago i give the car a compresion test to check and see what i'm running. First test: 150-152-130-150. Blown ring is my first impresion, i'm pissed and worried as hell i've gota rebuild over the winter. I go to remove the insert and hose from the head and see it's lose. I get a 145 and think, good, everythings still ok. Three nights ago the car starts idling rough and smoking while at idle but not under WOT or even partial throtle. I check the car again: 150-152-135-150 Figure i'll run out the tank of gas, then garage it too check it out and see what needs to be done. The next day on the way to work, idle's fine. No stubling at idle(Idle surge) and no smoke coming from the exauhst at idle, PT or WOT. Checked the compresion and got the following: 150-150-145-150

Today runs fine for about 2-3 hours worth of driving then part way through the day it's like a switch is turned off in the car. Runs like shit. Smoke at idle, rough idle and surging on me like mad. Tonight i check the compresion: 152-150-120-150

From what i've read and heard, with a "Variable" compresion PSI like this it wouldn't be a ring, once it goes bad it's bad. There's no good days and bad days. When i pulled the plugs i shined a light down the holes the last two times when i got the 145 and when i got the 120. When i got 145 PSI the top of the piston looked clean enough to eat off of. When i checked it on the 120 night there was oil drops on the top that i could see.

Sorry for such a long post, but i wanted all the facts in before i expect detailed answers or opinions. My question is, and this has been mentioned before when i was burning oil. Could it be a valve guide seal gone bad?

I pulled the manifold off tonight to install a new one on, and figure i'll hold off before putting it back on. But can't you replace the valve guides without having to remove the head? I can get access to a spring compresser for free, and damn near any other tool through a buddy at work.

Thanks in advance for reading this, and any replys i get back.

s1ngletracker
09-12-2006, 11:31 AM
is there any oil in the exhaust port while you have the exhaust manifold off? Also, when you do a compression test and that cylinder is lower, put a teaspoon of oil in the cylinder and try again. If your compression goes up, its your rings.

Shane@DBPerformance
09-12-2006, 11:38 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.

JiggahMan
09-12-2006, 03:30 PM
It may also be a bad compression gauge. However, if it does turn out bad rebuilds really aren't that much. And I'm sure someone on here, other than a shop, would be more than happy to do it for your for fairly cheap.

niterydr
09-12-2006, 03:37 PM
I would bet it is head related. Valve seal, carbon deposits, etc.
Like single said, check to see if there is oil in the ports when you pull the exhaust mani.
Shane is right, good luck doing a "wet" compression test on a dished piston.

b00stcreep21
09-12-2006, 03:44 PM
leakdown test the motor, and go from there. Broken ringlands can make a motor act funny sometimes as well. when mine went, i thought the valve seals were toast. It would burn a shitload of oil one day, then be fine the next. But when i pulled em out, and the piston fell apart, it was a little more obvious. I never compression tested mine though

Jakey
09-12-2006, 03:49 PM
Valve seal

It has always been my understanding that valve stem seal issues do not surface in a compession test, only in a leakdown test? :confused:

niterydr
09-12-2006, 04:16 PM
It has always been my understanding that valve stem seal issues do not surface in a compession test, only in a leakdown test? :confused:

Valve seal for burning oil/creating carbon possible that could be hangin up a valve.
It doesn't actually have anything to do in regards to a low compression cylinder, but it could effect the combustion chamber if it is poluting the system with oil.
I would be its more of valve SEATS or a cracked piston.

Pimpin Dsmstyle
09-12-2006, 05:57 PM
My buddies car had the same shit happen in #2 cylinder when his ring land was cracked. Might not be pertinant to your situation, but it had the same symptoms.

tim
09-12-2006, 06:27 PM
Are all conditions the same when you do your tests? Engine warm or cold, throttle all the way open, etc..

Have you tried a leakdown test or atleast tried a different compression tester? Leakdown would definitely be my next step.