I have a 98 B18c1 that's about to be boosted. But for some reason, my car smokes while I am getting on it, and smokes when I let off the gas. I did a compression check and all of my cylinders are at 130psi except cylinder #2 which is at 135psi. I've been trying to figure out why my motor burns oil, is it the piston rings or my valve seals? I'm leaning more towards the valve seals..this week I plan on removing the head and installing some ARP head studs. What else should I do to get it rdy for boost?

 

First off, your compression is really low. Dont touch the motor until you figure out why your compression is really low. Do a leak-down test and figure out if its your valves or rings. If you dont have a leak-down tester, a easy way to find out if its your rings is to squirt a little oil inside and do another compression test. If your compression goes up, then its your rings. If it stays the same, then its your valves. Also, what color is the smoke coming out of your car? So put a hold on those ARP studs until you figure out the problem.

 

And when you do the compression test again, do it with throttlebody open.....and if you dont have a leak down tester, rent one from an auto parts or something to find out the problem....If you come accross a bad leak down on a cylinder, listen through your intake and exhaust to find out wheather its your intake or exhaust valves....if neither then pull your dip stick out during leak down, if you hear air coming out of your dip stick hole, its your rings....gl

 

that is very very low compression, your car is definitly not ready to be boosted untill it is in tip top shape.

boost will only harm your motor even more if its not in a healthy state.

fix and replace whatever is wrong and go from there untill then

 

agreed with everyone above, just to give you an idea of what good compression is i just tested my b16b cause im about to go turbo also and the results where 235 230 230 225 <------------- that is ready for turbo!! your motor looks like its tired how many miles you got on that thing? im guessing over 100k...

 

B18C engines have slightly lower compression than any of the B16A varients. But 130-135 accross the board is retarded. Definatly find the problem before you boost.

 

im in the same boat with my gsr even though my #'s werent as low.my compression #'s were 210,180,180,190. im just going to yank the head off and do stem seals,guides and stud it. if it goes it goes..lol

 

Do like WFboostin said and make sure the throttle is open first. That means have your foot on the gas pedal while you crank it.

 

When I did the compression test, the throttle wasn't open. Should that affect my compression by any chance?? The motor does have over 100k miles on it, but it seems to run really good except for the fact that it burns oil..and the low compression. I'll try to do another compression test soon w/ the throttle open, and I'll also try squirting some oil in the cylinders. Thanks for the quick replies and I'll let you all know as soon as I do another compression test.

 

yes- opening your throttle will effect your numbers.......just make sure you pull the ecu fuse before doing it....that is the proper way of doing a compression test....but you really need to do a leak down to figure out EXACTLY whats going on.....GL

 

Okay well turns out I was short 100 psi from my real readings. I found the paper with all the readings on it today, and the numbers are with the throttle closed. I will try to get ahold of another compression tester today and do another test with the throttle open. My fault about that guys..but for now the are : #4 cylinder(230psi) #3 cylinder(230psi) #2 cylinder(235psi) #1 cylinder(230psi)