Compression test results in and it's NOT GOOD (Please look)

[misterskeetz]

The results are as follows...

cylinder 1 - 180
cylinder 2 - 135
cylinder 3 - 175
cylinder 4 - 185

From what I was told..I have great results aside from cylinder 2 (obviously). I am taking the car in tomorrow for a leak down test to be sure where it is coming from. I was hoping I might get some thoughts on it now to keep my mind at ease. The plus sign is that there are no signs of any smoke anywhere. I am really really hoping on not having to do a rebuild. I really just don't have the money to do that sort of work on it. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Boost92awd]

The results are as follows...

cylinder 1 - 180
cylinder 2 - 135
cylinder 3 - 175
cylinder 4 - 185

From what I was told..I have great results aside from cylinder 2 (obviously). I am taking the car in tomorrow for a leak down test to be sure where it is coming from. I was hoping I might get some thoughts on it now to keep my mind at ease. The plus sign is that there are no signs of any smoke anywhere. I am really really hoping on not having to do a rebuild. I really just don't have the money to do that sort of work on it. Any input would be appreciated.

Yeah post up your results when you do your leak down test. While doing it make sure to listen for air escaping threw the dip stick. Which the air will be leaking into the crank case. Kind of sounds to me like a bad piston ring. My cars down right now for that reason. But look at it in a postive way, time to build the motor.

 

[SlickGSX]

If its running fine with no smoke and $$$ is limited than why not just keep the boost down and drive it as is?

 

[misterskeetz]

Yeah post up your results when you do your leak down test. While doing it make sure to listen for air escaping threw the dip stick. Which the air will be leaking into the crank case. Kind of sounds to me like a bad piston ring. My cars down right now for that reason. But look at it in a postive way, time to build the motor.

Its my daily driver. That's the big issue. I was under the impression that if there isn't any smoke then it isn't a bad piston ring. The mechanic told me that it slightly misfires during startup but I didn't notice it at all.

 

[misterskeetz]

If its running fine with no smoke and $$$ is limited than why not just keep the boost down and drive it as is?

The car is completely stock. I don't plan on doing anything to the car aside from fixing the other problems mentioned and driving it. I like to sport it around sometimes though. Probably not a good idea with that gimpy cylinder.

 

[bastarddsm]

my car has been like that for two years. also it has only had about 5lbs oil pressure for the last 5000 miles...don't stop me from driving it every day 100mi round trips.

in all honesty you probably have a valve not sealing well on that cylinder. big deal.. drive it.

 

[d3str0y3r]

first of all i would personally do a compression test and see the numbers for myself. when it comes down to cars, i dont trust anyone but myself... a compression tester is cheap, and the actual testing is really easy.. when it comes down to other people working on your car, you never really know what their intentions are..

take it or leave it..

 

[misterskeetz]

Thanks for all the input so far guys. It will help me sleep at night. Tomorrow will be the moment of truth. I really hope its just carbon buildup on one of my valves or something. I heard a bunch of great things about FFtec. Sean is a really cool guy so I would hate to think that he is just making up the numbers. I will be getting a second opinion just to make sure.

 

[lowandsleekDSM]

When doing those tests (compression and leakdown tests) always keep a positive thoughts in your mind...for me i thought rebuilding my engine was the end of the world and the end to my GST but actually its not that bad at all...so far i`ve only had to replace one exhaust valve and all my piston rings and a few gaskets and bearings but you get the idea. Its not that bad to rebuild your engine and these engines are VERY tough when taken care of. Do the work if you need to and do it right the first time! And hey.....just grab a chiltons and some good tools and a positive attitude and you`ll be fine! i wouldnt drive it too much dont hurt the car anymore then you need to.......but good luck to you man!

 

[Boost92awd]

Its my daily driver. That's the big issue. I was under the impression that if there isn't any smoke then it isn't a bad piston ring. The mechanic told me that it slightly misfires during startup but I didn't notice it at all.

My car didnt smoke either and it had 2 bad piston rings. But look at it in a positive way even if it is the piston rings they are a very cheap part. But good luck, post up the results when your done with your tests.

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

The only thing you will get is power loss in a cylinder.. Just ####y foot the motor, until you have the money for even just a stock rebuild (bottom end can take 350 hp with ease).. You shouldnt have to worry about it.. Well, correction.. If you have a broken ring, and that lil f***er gouges your cylinder wall, you wont be happy.. .. Just be nice to it..

 

[bob123131]

yea just after your leak down tear it down its pretty simple. I had simlar readings as you and it was my piston ring 2nd cylinder and i didnt find out till right after i put in my cams and got it tuned in may nad had just had it all torn up so i was like screw it i will fix it in the fall and drive it this summer. Ended up ruining my cylinder.

 

[anmGST]

Any update yet? I hope its good.

 

[dsm-onster]

You have a blown head gasket, a bent valve, or burned up a ring. Level of damage finacially is respective to the previous order mentioned.

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

Do a leak down test, and that will tell you where the air is escaping from in the cylinder.. Whether its escaping through the head (valves), mating surface between the head and the block (head gasket), or down into the crankcase (broken piston/rings), a leak down will tell you what you need to replace..

click here for leak down test instructions

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

wow.. old link.. doesnt work.. sorry.. you will have to google it.. really, its just putting compressed air in the cylinder, and watching/listening for where the air comes out of...

 

[misterskeetz]

You have a blown head gasket, a bent valve, or burned up a ring. Level of damage finacially is respective to the previous order mentioned.

Not sure what the previous order mentioned is. I am keeping my hopes up high. The car is in the shop right now because my clutch pedal would stick to the floor if left undriven overnight. Was grinding when putting it into reverse and wouldnt even get into first. Had to pump the clutch pedal for 5 minutes to get some feel back.

Will have an update by the end of the night.

 

[STM tuned]

Try doing a compression test again doing the "wet test" on that cylinder. put a capfull of oil in, and if the number goes up you have a bad ring. [ the oil temporarily helps it seal for the compression test.

Add one capful (1-2 tablespoons) of oil to the cylinder with low compression.
12. Let it sit for a minute to allow the oil to flow down and coat the sides of the cylinder and piston. If there are any gaps in the rings, the oil will seal them for the next few minutes.

also , here is a backup copy of that leak down link posted
Leak Down Test VFAQ

and how-to on the compression test, and doing the "wet test"

How to do a Compression Test

 

[DJYoshaBYD]

bad piston ring, or broken piston's.. Dont ever think its just the rings.. That's what happened to mine.. I bought it with "blown rings" and it ended up being bombed pistons.. I pulled them out, then pulled the outside of the pistons apart n chunks... it looks like they were hit with a sledge hammer... A result of a lot of knock...

 

[misterskeetz]

Well...I had my mechanic take care of it. He couldn't hear where the leak was so he had to do a special test where it filled it with smoke so he can visually see where the leak was. So after all the diagnostics it is official...I have a bad exhaust valve on cylinder 2. Not yet sure if it was a burnt valve or a bent valve but either way it has to get fixed. Job is going to cost me around 1800 bucks. I also had my master and slave cylinders for my clutch fixed so that ran me another 450. After that I am good to go with the modding. To bad I am in so much debt. Will be a while before I get my go-fast parts.

 

[d3str0y3r]

i know someone that could fix that valve for less than 200 bucks..damn

 

[mccurdy]

why pay 1800 bucks for a job like that when you can get a 6bolt motor for that much from slow boy racing?!

6 bolt is the win son!

 

[freeman 188]

I think you are getting ripped for that much money ,I had my head totally done by a machine shop and it only cost 500 dollars ,so for one valve you would think it would cost 1 - 16 of that price ,also my engine went down to 90 psi on one cylinder but after two weeks did another compression test and it was back up to 150 again . good luck one the fix