Compression Check = Even More Problems

[95TSiNewbie]

I had a friend help me run a compression test today and heres how it went:
Cyl #4: 155, oil on the plug when pulled. Cyl#3: 155, plug shows signs of running rich. Cyl #2: 125, plug looks to be lean. Cyl#1: 130, plug smells of gas but no fluid.

Im scared to ask what could be wrong and how much it will cost to fix. Would I be better off buying a new motor (cant afford 6-bolt swap)? Any help or advice would be great.
Thanks,
Bryan Tracy

 

[95TSiNewbie]

after doing some searching i have even more questions now. The car has over 110k miles on it now and last week i did valve cover gaskets hoping that would stop the oil in the 4th cyl. Could it be the HG?? Im not running extremly hot or burning coolant. Valve seats or valves trashed? Pistons? I dont know what to do if i need serious engine work. I may just have to sell my car and get out of DSM... college has a pinch on my wallet as it is.

 

[blue92laser]

Well, most likely not a HG, the compression isnt really low enough. I would say, maybe rings? Seals or seats for the valves dont matter for compression, as they sit above the valves. Maybe, with the signs of leaning out on that cylinder, you could have burnt a valve?

Really, the only way to do check, is to pull the head, have everything in the head inspected and then look at the cylinder walls, is there still hatchings in it, or is it pretty dull, lookin, marks or scratches?

One way you can check for ring problems is by doing the compression test again and before you do the test, drop a cap full of oil into the cylinders, turn the engine very slowly, just tapping the ignition to on real quick. If you do it full spin, like you were starting it, it will blow the oil out, you want it to set around the rings. After lubing the cylinders up, do the test. If your compression goes up over 15 points, then its a pretty done deal that its the rings.