low compression after new headgasket

[psychbiker1966]

I have recently had my car in for a leaking headgasket. The motor has 4000 miles on a topline rebuild (but the felpro headgasket was leaking). I had the shop do a metal headgasket and put in ARP headstuds, plus comp cams and had it tuned. Now when I drive it the stock temp gauge is about level but at times it will climb to as high as 2/3rds mostly when sitting at red lights. I changed my thermostat and rad cap plus flushed the system but the temp climbs past halfway occasionally,not all the time. I decided to check my compression today and have low numbers as follows: 1:130 2:127 3: 126 4: 115. Now I am wondering do I still have a headgasket leak?? What else could be causing lower compression/elevated temps? Cams? Or is my timing off a tooth??( Gonna take it back to the shop for sure)..

 

[Tyeler18]

Timing I will assume is on as your compression numbers are *relatively close. I assume you didn't have the surface of the head/block remachined for the MLS headgasket? Did the car overheat when the old headgasket started leaking? I'd assume your surfaces aren't prepped well enough to run an MLS, however, your overheating problem is from having air in the system still.

 

[95eclipseguy]

X2 on the air in the system. Low compression ?, do an oil in cylinder test.

 

[bryanwheat]

So the composite gasket was leaking and you had a mls installed? Sounds like you have a warped head or the surface wasn't quite good enough.

 

[psychbiker1966]

I asked them if the head was warped and they said it wasn't now I'm thinking I should have insisted and had them send it out to have it machined. Since its only been a 3 or 4 weeks I hope they will take it back and do it right.

 

[bryanwheat]

They should of never installed a mls in the first place with out surfacing the head and block. What i find crazy is that the composite wouldn't seal so they installed a mls which is harder to seal. I would find a new shop.

 

[Lou98GSX]

if the head isn't warped you can use the steel head gasket i have and never had a problem i also use sealant on the gasket. i run 28psi with meth and no problem .usually when i take a head off i put a straight edge on the head to see if its warped .you should ask them how did they know that the head wasn't warped.

 

[SmoochDarling]

Get a new shop to do the work. Get new shop to check block for true, ( chances are it is unless it was seriously overheated.) Get head machined. Run a composite HG. Boost happy.

 

[bryanwheat]

if the head isn't warped you can use the steel head gasket i have and never had a problem i also use sealant on the gasket. i run 28psi with meth and no problem .usually when i take a head off i put a straight edge on the head to see if its warped .you should ask them how did they know that the head wasn't warped.

Thanks for the half advice. IT isn't advised to install a mls with out the right surface finish. MANY people have had them fail without doing so.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Get the head straight, just did mine, all that just to make sure, my unlce ran a mls on his dsm without a straight head, and had to redo it, once we ran it for a bit, issues arose.

 

[psychbiker1966]

It did overheat back in June from a leaking turbo coolant hose. The headgasket went in Jan.. It seems unlikely I could have driven 6months with a warped head. I thing I would rather do it myself now and pay the 350 to a machine shop than take it elsewhere and pay another 1000 -1500 bucks.. I just think the shop should fix it under principle that they did a half a$$ job.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Anything can happen doesnt take 6 months to warp a head, curious to find out how your going to prove they did a poor job.

 

[psychbiker1966]

With my low compression #s after 300 miles post the HG job.. They have done a lot of work and tuning on my car ..hopefully they value future business.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Metal gaskets, i would only use if the head and block were decked properly, but thats just me,

 

[psychbiker1966]

Great news!!Its my CAMS.. I have the Comp Cams 1200 severe street series. They will lower my cranking compression by around 30 psi!! So I am not doing to bad then.(What a relief)..