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.

 

Is there water in the oil (is it milky?)?

 

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.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by som3on3_10 &raquo;</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.

 

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

 

Do you see any leaks in the morning?

 

Pressure test the cooling system when its cold.