Head Gasket or Piston rings?

[93eclipse21]

Ok, I have a 1993 Eclipse GS, 4G63 non turbo. My car was idling bad and sometimes backfiring. I did all the easy checks, like change spark plugs and spark plug wires, made sure the firing order was correct and then did a compression test. The number two piston was way lower than the other three and it was wet with oil. I spoke to a few of my friends that know more about cars than I do, and they all told me that it sounds like a head gasket. I took the head apart to find out that the gasket was just fine. It wasn't broken or burnt, yet the area on the bottom of the head on the number two piston was also wet with oil. Does this mean that the rings are bad? I apologize, but this is the first time I take an engine apart like this, so I don't know very much about this. I've spent a while searching online with no results. So now I'm trying to figure out what to do and how to figure out what's actually wrong. Any thoughts??

 

[BogusSVO]

It is sounding like rings.

Now that the head is off, rotate the engine so all 4 pistons are about level in the block. pour about an inch of oil on top of all 4 pistons.

Leave it be for several oure/over night.

When you look at it , if the levels are all about the same the rings should be good, if #2 is lower than the rest, the rings are bad.

 

[Cdc1221]

how many miles are on the engine

Mileage is just a number bud. It bares little reflection on the internal health of an engine. Id take a 200k engine thats been taken care of over a 10k engine that hasnt been

 

[93eclipse21]

It is sounding like rings.

Now that the head is off, rotate the engine so all 4 pistons are about level in the block. pour about an inch of oil on top of all 4 pistons.

Leave it be for several oure/over night.

When you look at it , if the levels are all about the same the rings should be good, if #2 is lower than the rest, the rings are bad.

Good advice. I'm going to do that right now and leave it over night. The car has 102k on it. I will get back to you guys with results tomorrow.

 

[BogusSVO]

I just wrote a How to for that test...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/450572-how-check-pinched-bad-rings.html

 

[93eclipse21]

I just wrote a How to for that test...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/450572-how-check-pinched-bad-rings.html

Ok good, that's what I did. Now, tomorrow when I check them, which ever ones are low are the ones that needs to be changed? If they are not low at all, should go ahead and slap a new head gasket on, get the head machined and put it all back together?

 

[BogusSVO]

It depends on how low the oil level drops.

 

[93eclipse21]

Ok, so not so good I think. I just looked at them and measured them with the screw driver I used to mark the inch, and they are all just below the mark. The number two is a little lower and so is four. Not by a lot, but they are low.

 

[BogusSVO]

Some drop in the level is to be expected.

Just like the one in the how to, it is not conclusive to say rings.

How about a few pics of the head?

Now pull the cams from the head and do this...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/420313-how-fluid-test-4g63-cylinder-head.html

 

[93eclipse21]

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

How does that look? Also, i have a stupid question. When you say ERG, that's where the thermostat housing goes?

 

[BogusSVO]

First off, it looks like the head has been belt surfaced.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/cyl...0613-why-not-let-your-head-belt-surfaced.html

Personally, I would want to dissasemble the head, clean it, and change the valve stem seals, and have the guides checked.

 

[93eclipse21]

So i should take to a machine shop? Or what? I don't think i know how to do it all myself.

 

[BogusSVO]

Yes a machine shop would do , IF they understand the 4g63 engine/head.

Or you may want to ship it to one of the supporting vendors that do machine work.

 

[93eclipse21]

Any suggestions on which one? Here in Florida maybe? Also, what about the block? What should I do there?

 

[BogusSVO]

At this point, hard to say about the rings.

But if you want you can pull the shortblock, and overhaul it, new rings and bearings, do a BSE.

Or ...

Get the head fixed, and install a decent gasket (OE or FelPro Composite) grab a set of ARP head studs, and set it all back up and then see how she runs.

May be a good time to do a timing belt full job too.

 

[93eclipse21]

Ok. Well I guess I'll just do what I can for now. I appreciate all of your help. I've definitely learned a few things from you.

 

[BogusSVO]

Check the link on my sig.... more info to help you along there.

 

[mchustle]

Any suggestions on which one? Here in Florida maybe? Also, what about the block? What should I do there?

Maybe the one you are having a conversation with???
Bogus is the resident machinist guru .

Good luck with fixing the problem hope all works out for you in the end.

 

[93eclipse21]

Maybe the one you are having a conversation with???
Bogus is the resident machinist guru .

Good luck with fixing the problem hope all works out for you in the end.

Lmao!!! I know!! I knew he was smart, but when I clicked on his links, I was like...um this guy is a genius! Lol I'm deffinetly sending work his way!