Only 60 psi compression on all 4 cyl, blown head gasket?

[Turbo_Joe]

Well I bought this 95 TSI non running and did a compression test. I put a little oil in each hole and opened the tb and the compression is about 60 all the way across.. I thought if it was a blown head gasket that one or two cyl would have low comp but not all 4. What should I do? Start tearing it down? Does this sound like a blown head gasket? Thanks..

 

[deathbydsm90]

Id tear it down. It could be a head gasket, but the problem might be worse like piston rings or bent valves. Id use that for an excellent excuse for an engine build!

 

[romeen]

I would retest using another compression tester. It would suck if you did a uneccesary rebuild because of a bad tester.

Also, you say the car is not running. If the engine was cold when you did the test it will cause the readings to be low but I'm not sure if it would cause it to be that low.

Just a couple things to consider before commiting to a costly rebuild which may or may not be necessary.

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

Terrible compression like that is a blown HG or all your valves hit the pistons. How is your timing, check tdc and where the cam gears line up.

James

 

[B-Man]

I'm with Vette. Check your valve timing. If either one of your cams were a tooth off, it'd bend the whole set causing bad compression across all the pistons. I found out that's what happened to my intake valves on my car.

 

[Turbo_Joe]

Well im going to go ahead and yank the head off..I need to put this 1g head on it anyway I guess, and have a new head gasket, timing belt, and all. I might as well use some ARP head studs and do it right...

 

[prostreetdsmx1]

i'm going to agree with the other guys that posted about timing. The issue is that having 60 across the board doesn't sound right at all. I think your timing is off by a few teeth and your valves aren't properly closing when they should be.

Check for any fluids around the block, that would explain a buster head gasket. Also check your oil and coolant to see if there is any cross contamination.

If the fluids check out and no fluid is on the side of the block then i'm pretty sure it's just your timing. If that's the case.... the valves and pistons meeting never goes well.

 

[Turbo_Joe]

Well, I just have a few things holding the head on now. I decided to pull it because I want to put a fresh gasket, 1g head, ARP studs, new water pump, timing belt & tensioner and stuff on the car. So far it looks like you all were right, there is rubber stripes on the cam gears indicating a slip. I wonder if the valves hit the pistons? Hope those slugs are ok..thanks guys..

 

[prostreetdsmx1]

did you see any indentations on the pistons? Can you turn the valve train assembly through the cam without any sticking or serious effort? Do the valves shut completely as you rotate it?

 

[z24frank]

I would retest using another compression tester. It would suck if you did a uneccesary rebuild because of a bad tester.

Also, you say the car is not running. If the engine was cold when you did the test it will cause the readings to be low but I'm not sure if it would cause it to be that low.

Just a couple things to consider before commiting to a costly rebuild which may or may not be necessary.

How low would it be when its cold?The reason im asking is because mines at 120 across the board.

 

[dsmer1G]

How low would it be when its cold?The reason im asking is because mines at 120 across the board.

If it is the same in all of them, then yours is probably fine being that it is 120 and not 60.

 

[Rob10_99]

Shouldnt you get more warm considering the tolerances are smaller when its warm?