problems keep on arising on this 90 ex 4dr.

i was planning to get a compression and leak down test,but im not sure if that will cover everything. what i'd like to know is what will that test cover. will it tell me if i need a new radiator? would it tell me i need a new gasket? would it tell me my tranmission is slipping(automatic)? what does that complete test cover? please this is really important. to sum it all up,will that test completly cover EVERY piece that is under the hood. i need to know whats critical right now because like i've said millions of times,the previous owner took NO care of it. why dont i just buy a new car? thats a long story,but please just give me a full list with details. also i live in NYC in the bronx. so i would appreciate it even more if i was given a location where i can get the car checked out. and a complete price. please. again thanks in advance. ken,hondatechpro,deserthonda and anyone else that can help

 

if u got no miss in any cylinder most lekely compression is ok.....if no overheat or loss of coolant most likely head-gasket is ok, compression test will tell you wether the valves are sealing properly or the piston rings are worn,, if results vary by more than 15% from a cylinder to another or way too low than u could have burnt valves or worn piston rings, ,if bad compression, than u can do a wet test to see if it is the rings,,symptoms,, a miss on the cylinder with low compression,burning oil, a leakage test could tell you if u have a bad head gasket, cracked head, cracked block ,,if bad results, most likely head will have to come out.. symptom, possible overheating, coolant in exhaust , miss from a cylinder due to coolant contamineted plug ,
You could also get a miss an a cylinder from other things, bad plug, wires, valve seals leaking oil in plugs, valves too tight, bad injector, just to name a few ...

to test radiator u need to pressure test cooling system chk for leaks, visual inspection, remove cap remove enough coolant to be able to see the inner part to see if it plugged, corroded,,,,if so , need a radiator ,
u need to test transmission pressures to get more of an idea about tranny or if there are any codes ...neither compression nor leakage test will tell u status of ur tranny or the radiator

 

how do i know if i got a miss in a cyclinder?

driving a 50min trip she rises above half,but sits a bit under H. oil dissappearing now. coolant seems fine. that big block where oil goes in seems soiled with oil. thanks alot DesertH

 

upping