Low Compression Problems on Future Car Help ASAP!

[futrgsxonr]

Hey guys I found this awesome deal for a 92 GSX but it has some problems. You guys are awesome so I know a lot of you will be able to tell me how bad things are.

First of all some details:
- 6-bolt engine, 4-bolt rear (rare!)
- Limited slip rear diff
- 'Big Brake' caliper upgrade, RRE stainless steel
brake lines, powerslot rotors, extra set of Porterfield
SC race pads <--- BIG VALUE!
- 16G turbo <---- BIG VALUE!
- Hallman MBC
- K&N filter
- Westach boost gauge
- Lo-Tek three gauge A-pillar pod
- Professional (extra dark) tint by Norm
- Tranny excellent, shifts perfect.
- All synthetic fluids
- new hatch struts
- Sunroof
- sold AS IS

This car is fairly stock except the turbo which is what I was looking for. But like I said it does have some problems and I'm not sure how serious it is. This is what the guy said about it in his ad.

- Radio (aftermarket) unknown cond. The power antenna may also be an issue, but I don't know as this isn't something I cared to look into.

I can easily fix that in that I already have a head unit from another car and know a lot about car audio so I'm not worried about that.

- Compression on #1 cylinder is low (~70psi), the others are within the service limit. Starts and drives fine, but I don't boost it hard.
- Uses some oil, there's some smoke from the tailpipe.

I'm not sure how serious this is and would the problems could be and what would possible needed to be fixed and how much. I'm going to test drive it next week but I would really like to know what to look/listen for before I go. I'm moving close to where he lives in a week for school so I don't know any good mechanics that could take a look at it for me. Please help me guys I really want this car but I don't know how bad things are/possible could be. Thanks so much for the help you guys rock!

Later | "B"

 

[xcelr8n]

ya thats not good at all man. how much does he want for the whole thing?
expect to be at least 1000 bucks into fixing it.. probably realy worn rings.. could be the head.. but either way youre lookin at some $$$

 

[futrgsxonr]

The guy only wants 1950 for it. But I don't have too much more then that. How could I tell how bad everything is? Because it could just be the head gasket or something fairly small like that, or it could be something major. Is there anyway I can know without taking the engine apart? If I do have to take it apart what exactly am I looking for? Worn head gasket and rings, scored block, what else specifically?

Thanks | "B"

 

[xcelr8n]

yes that is a semi fair price... I wouldnt calla headgasket a small job man.. reason being, if you take the head off a 12 year old car just to do the headgasket and you dont have any head work done, youre asking for trouble.. can you perform this yourself btw?
get a leakdown test done and see where its leaking from... IMO walk away from this one, find a stock one in good shape for ~2000 bucks

 

[futrgsxonr]

If it is just the head gasket then yes I can do it myself. If it is more then I will have to have a shop do it. Nobody has answered my questions from before though. How can I tell how bad it is? Is there anything I can look/listen for with out taking apart the motor?

Thanks | "B"

 

[xcelr8n]

get a leakdown test done and see where its leaking from...

i already told
you what to do

 

[Broken TSI]

If it's still running, it can't be too terrible, if you have another car, offer him $1,500 and pop the head off, prob. something stupid, usually a popped headgasket will cause loss on one cylinder, if it's blowing black out the pipe your looking at rings, check upon accel, and decelleration, try to get him to start it cold for you, if you go and it's already up to temp, I would figure there are problems he is trying to hide and yeah.. Walk away, but if your just seeing a little white smoke, prob. a HG.

 

[lacroixdp]

I would buy it assuming you'll have to do the worst, which would be a full engine rebuild. Do a leakdown test and figure out where the leak is coming from. However, with a 17yo car, I would just go ahead and yank it and rebuild it anyways. It won't take much longer than a head gasket would take if you've done it before.