#83222, "Compression #'s 210 190 190 230 Help me decipher"
I just checked my compression with the guide on this site and got these numbers: #1 210, #2 190, #3 190, #4 230. I was wondering if because the only two cylinders that had high compression were the ones that had a little oil on the plugs also when I did the test on #1,2,or 3 my #4 would hiss. I think this may be due to a valve not closing completely. My car does not smoke while driving only while idleing. I really don't know how to figure these things out so any help is greatly appreciated. I am sorry for the newb diagnosis but this is all I know.
#83225, "RE: Compression #'s 210 190 190 230 Help me decipher" In response to Reply # 2 Dec-05-04 01:21 PM by turbo8u
thats damn good compression man, dont worry about that
the way to tell if you have a valve thats not sealing is do a 'leak down test' and hear if it hisses from the intake. other than that, do you have oil in the spark plug wells?
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96 Black ESi 91 Red TSI AWD (RIP) 02 WRX
"turnin wrenches for nine hours in the pouring rain, just to get the beast up and running again"
Aerospace Certified TIG welder for Precision Castparts in Portland, OR.
#83227, "RE: Compression #'s 210 190 190 230 Help me decipher" In response to Reply # 3
hmmm...it's good but still #2 and 3 shouldn't be that much lower. have you taken your head to a machine shop and had it milled? sometimes it can also mean that the head flatness is uneven. you can tell it's ok from the outside but on the inside is probably uneven.
#83231, "RE: Compression #'s 210 190 190 230 Help me decipher" In response to Reply # 4
You most likely did'nt have the compression gauge seated completely and that was the sound you heard. If you had alot of oil your plugs and compression that good with the motor in good running condition then it's your valve cover gaskets leaking.
#83235, "RE: Compression #'s 210 190 190 230 Help me decipher" In response to Reply # 5
I was just wondering about the difference in the #'s and it only hissed in the #4 when I was testing the other 3 cylinders so I think that might be my head is slightly warped. I did have oil in the plug holes when I pulled the wires on #1 and #4. My car has 164,000 so I just thought these #'s were a little wierd but I redid it and came up with the same #'s so I will just get the head rebuilt and milled with the top end rebuild kit from Howell or do you guyz know of a better kit. Also why would my car only smoke at idle? Thanks for all your help so far you have really saved me some work.
