So I just got my 92 TSI and the previous owner sounded like he didnt know much about dsm's. Anyway he said the head gasket was bad but I just did a compression test these are the numbers.


1- 155
2- 125
3- 165
4- 155

The Cyl at 125 we dumped a little oil down and re-did the test and it jumped to 175. The car has been sitting for a while I was told. Also that they upgraded to bigger lifters. I have not driven the car yet because it needs the timing belt hydrolic tentioner. I was told it could be rings, the oil is not dis-colored and does not smell of coolant. So I'm going to get some lucas oil additive and see if the rings are messed up and aren't seated right. Anyone want to chime in?

It does seem as if your rings are bad on cylinder 2. A leak down test could confirm your results. You can buy one or build your own for relatively cheap. See this link for building one. If you have compressed air this is the way to go. Open up the radiator cap when doing the leak down test and see if you get coolant rising or bubbling. If not see if you can determine where the air is leaking from. The choices are valves or rings. Good luck.

BTW I wouldn't recommend oil additives. A good quality oil should be all you need. I prefer Shell T6 Rotella 5W-40, but to each there own.

did you do the test with the engine at normal operating temp? Im guessing no since it needs a tensioner.
I agree with the leak down test but both tests should be done with it at operating temp.

If its really been sitting a while, it could be completely normal for the compression to be low. Run it for a while and re check.

I would hold off on any enigne tear down until you can do a compression test on a hot engine. If you have decent compression cold it might be in the normal range when warm.

Yeah I think we're going to just change the tentioner and while I'm doing that I think I'll replace my timing belt. Then once I let the car run and warm to temp I'll re check compression. I have no problems with any Lucas product. I've run them in all of my cars. It's just a good oil additive for wear and tear even with Synthetic oil.

EVTBernie said:

The Cyl at 125 we dumped a little oil down and re-did the test and it jumped to 175.

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Did you get the oil on the rings or did it just pool in the dish on top of the piston? The latter could artificially inflate the compression numbers.