Date:         Wed, 23 Jun 1999 18:47:14 -0700
Reply-To:     "Brian W. Block" <bwblock@XOOMMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Brian W. Block" <bwblock@XOOMMAIL.COM>
Subject:      compression tests-- good enough?

Howdy--

You may (or may not) remember me as the guy that was
experiencing the dreaded compression loss on '83 vanagon.
Was planning to have to do a top-end rebuild.
Well,today I went in and for the heck of it re-torqued the
cylinder head stud bolts, to 20 N/m as specified in Haynes
manual.  Wasn't that hard actually, just had to take off
head covers, and remove enough stuff up top in order to get
up under the cooling tin at the bolts.  I put on some
loctite (the kind you apply after assembly) just for good
measure.
Heres the good news: I did a before and after compression
test, results of which are:

Before--            After--
1    10psi          1    135psi
2    120            2    140
3    115            3    130
4    60             4    92

So, everything looks pretty good other than #4 which is a
bit low at 92psi.  Heres the question:  Does anybody think
the 92 warrants further top end work?  If its going to need
it within another 15k or 20k I'd just as soon do it now.
van now has 150k on it, previous owner says he had
cylinders honed and rings replaced at 80k.

Thanks in advance for advice.


BWB


______________________________________________________
Get your free web-based email at http://www.xoom.com
Birthday? Anniversary? Send FREE animated greeting
cards for any occassion at http://greetings.xoom.com