ok im just going to list my symptoms
engine is a b18b all stock
-over heated a couple of times due to fan failure

-didn't notice any significant loss in power or hesistation, RPM also doesnt fluctuate much at normal operating temp.

-engine used to use up some of the coolant from the reservoir

-we did a compression test and here are the results:
from L to R (first test)
180, 168, 150, 180

-we were astonished by the varied results so we tried it again:
186, 168, 162, 180

-Gas mileage is very bad getting only 200 miles to the tank (13.1 gal) i used to get at least 300 each tank

-light white smoke comes up when u mash on the throttle briefly

-air from exhaust isnt really hot at all, it's more cold than warm and sometimes water could be seen dripping from the tip even after the car has been driven for awhile

My conclusion is that the head gasket is blown, but help me diagnose this problem before i get this fixed. I want to make sure i'm fixing the right thing. Would a bad head gasket be the cause of my poor fuel mileage?

 

You have a few more things to investigate! Pull the spark plugs what do they look like? Also pull the dip stick is their coolant in the oil?Lets check these then we will go on to the next step!

 

Occasionally you can identify a blown head gasket by looking for bubbles coming up through the radiator while the car is running.

 

Do a leak down test and see if there is a leak between those 2 and 3 cylinders. Usually a drop of more than 10psi in a compression check is not a good sign. That along with loss of coolant, overheating and white smoke hint signs of possible headgasket problems. If you can do a leakdown try that and see what results you get. If it is still driving alright and not overheating constantly and hasn't locked up, I'd suggest fixing the problem or at least getting closer to figuring out before hitting the road again and seriously messing something up, especially since YOU already think you might have a blown headgasket.


[Modified by ill phil, 7:51 AM 2/2/2003]

 

yeah the two inner pistons are obviously the hottest....this would explain the damage.

sounds like a head gasket to me.