Bad Rings or should I worrie?

[poonman]

Ok so a 2 weeks ago I drove home from work, car was fine. I ran my dad to the store. When I got back into my car it sounded like i wasn't running on all cylinders it almost sounded like there were 2 cars side by side with the same exhaust. I crawled under my car found a leak, fixed the leak but still no difference. I drove it for about a week and noticed it wasn't starting as fast almost 3 full cranks and It seemed to have lost some power below 4 grand.

I then went to the next step, I checked my compression in all 4 50,160,190,180
Left to right, I just noticed today for the first time that I started the car and got a little blue smoke. I just changed my Valve stem seals 2 years ago. So I ordered a new head and It came in today, I was fist thinking that my valves were leaking since It didn't smoke while driving.

I took my head off tonight to swap it with my new one, I wanted to see if I had play in my rings, with #1 TDC I took my fingers and could move the piston back and forth, I poured gas on top of the piston and it sat for a while until I moved the piston it only moves about 2/16 of an inch, I know they have some play but my concern is how much.

Could this be a bigger issue then my valves or am I looking to much into it.

 

[dented_coffee]

Sounds like an oiling issue on the number 1 cyl. Have you done an oil change recently? I would pull the pan and look for debris in the pan. I have seen engines that the the rings get clogged with creasode like whats in the exhaust that is caked on and baked on. It might of had oil issues and finally got plugged causing the cyl walls to wash and wear out like that.

I would have that cyl bore gauged to be sure it's still in spec and not egged or out of round.

 

[tsi209]

Just change the rings. You have the engine torn down jus save you later down the road

 

[mcneilmg]

The valve guides themselfs could be the calpriate and not the seals. Maybe a valve is not seating because the guide isnt straight with the valve stem.

Did you try a wet compression test before the teardown?

 

[zeekster777]

you sound like you know a lot about cars already. i would not cut any corners and keep doing what your doing ask ask ask and do do do. dont just hope its ok, make sure its ok.

 

[poonman]

Well after the longest head job in the world today, new timing belt broken pin on the camshaft alt belt and ps belt with all new gaskets. I am sure the rings went. I crank it over and only 30 PSI in #1 dropped a little oil in it and 90 PSI.

So it looks like I'm rebuilding a block.

I pulled the dipstick out and boy was it blowing by..

Thanks all for the help.