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Date:         Wed, 4 Jun 2003 19:07:43 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Interpretting Compression Values- 88GL?
Comments: To: Matt Sutton <msutts@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <BB03AF02.2A63%msutts@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Compression tests can be very misleading and having good compression is not always signs of a healthy engine with lots of life left. The next proper step is to do a "leak down" to determine if there is leakage in the valves or piston rings, and to determine the amount of leakage. To further evaluate engine condition, the oil pressure needs to be measured as most sudden catastrophic failures will be there. The low compression reading on #1 can also mean there is less carbon build up in the head or on that piston. Do the leak down.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Matt Sutton Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 2:14 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Interpretting Compression Values- 88GL?

Hi Folks, Did a compression check today, and need some help finding what these numbers really mean. Here's the results: Cylinder #1: 125-130 psi (9 bar) #2: 145 psi (10 bar) #3: 140 psi (almost 10 bar) #4: 145 psi (10 bar) Test done per Bentley, car fully warmed up, accelerator floored. Test tool was a universal compression tester from NAPA (not easy to use, but re-checked results for cylinder #1 a couple times.) Cranking/rise times pretty even. Other info: 88GL(manufactured 87), 116k on engine. Exhaust/cat non-stock, and in poor shape (see later note). There were some long standing FI problems, now fixed. 950 miles since last oil change(10w40), very little to no oil consumption (have topped off once), and the oil itself looks pretty clean. Plugs look similar, no fouling. 22.5 mpg on last long trip, though this is mostly an urban daily driver (Brooklyn NY). I'm shopping for a new exhaust system, and did the comp. test to figure if I'd be throwing away resources on a not-long-to-live engine. Right now I'm pleasantly surprised by cylinders #2-4, concerned by the unevenness of #1. How bad is this? What causes and cures? Which hole do I stuff money into? TIA -Matt Sutton


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