How to tell the difference between a bad head gasket or bad piston rings?
05-20-2006, 04:00 PM
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How to tell the difference between a bad head gasket or bad piston rings?
I did a compression test on my car the other day (95 Civic EX) and the readings were approximately:
Cyl 4: 180
Cyl 3: 180
Cyl 2: 150
Cyl 1: 180
So obviously I have a leak. My question is, other than doing a leak down test, how can I tell if it is my head gasket or bad pistons rings based on just doing a compression test? Please help so I can buy the necessary parts to get this car back on the road. Thanks.
Cyl 4: 180
Cyl 3: 180
Cyl 2: 150
Cyl 1: 180
So obviously I have a leak. My question is, other than doing a leak down test, how can I tell if it is my head gasket or bad pistons rings based on just doing a compression test? Please help so I can buy the necessary parts to get this car back on the road. Thanks.
05-20-2006, 05:02 PM
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No the oil doesn't look milky nor is there any white smoke coming out of my exhaust. I do, however, have to constantly add coolant on a monthly basis.
05-20-2006, 05:30 PM
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Re: (som3on3_10)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by som3on3_10 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I do, however, have to constantly add coolant on a monthly basis.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That would tell me headgasket, but you said no smoke or oily water. i would do the headgasket anyway.
That would tell me headgasket, but you said no smoke or oily water. i would do the headgasket anyway.
05-20-2006, 05:36 PM
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Does the fact that there is no milky oil or white smoke coming from the exhaust automatically rule out a bad head gasket? Or does this just mean that the head gasket is on the verge of going bad since I have to constantly add coolant? And let me add that I have no leaks because I parked my car in the garage last night after letting it run to normal operating temperature and there were no puddles on the ground this morning.
Modified by som3on3_10 at 2:57 AM 5/21/2006
Modified by som3on3_10 at 2:57 AM 5/21/2006
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