hello everyone, you may have helped me narrow down the cause of my low compression before, but the issue is still there.

its a 99 gsr

I replaced my head gasket, got new arp head studs, and got the head resurfaced. put if all back together and did a compression test before cranking it up.

results:
#1: 180 psi
#2: 130 psi
#3: 180 psi
#4: 190 psi

im very frustrated because I just spend every last dollar I had on getting the head gasket and everything, and spend days getting everything perfect and it didn't help a single bit.

what could cause this!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

all input is greatly appreciated.

 

Rings. Valves. Do a leakdown test. I'm surprised no one told you to do that prior to the headgasket.

 

I did a wet compression test, which eliminated rings as the culprit. but when I got the head resurfaced we noticed one of the exhaust valves on the problem cyl was allowing a small amount part cleaner through. so just now, with the engine reassembled, I removed the header and put compressed air into the trouble cyl and could feel it blowing steadily out the exhaust port.

so it looks like i do indeed need a valve job. and I know what everyone is going to say, why didn't I get a valve job when I had the head at the machine shop. and that's simply because I didn't have the money, and was hoping my issue was just a warped head.

 

Well at least you've found the issue. I heard replacing valves isn't hard. Might want to replace the seals while you're at it.

 

yeah not knowing the issue is the worst part. I would replace the valves if I had a bit more money to spare, but since all the valves are all in fair shape (none burned) I think im just going to have to have them resurfaced.

 

Dude, valves are like $15 a pop at NAPA. AT LEAST throw in a couple exhaust valves and lap them with a drill.

 

its going to be a long time before I even have the $150 to get the exhaust side only done. im broke as **** man lol. like I said, theyre not burnt up at all, have some carbon build up obviously, but after getting the head clean at the machine shop u can see the valves are in good shape. tho replacing them wouldn't hurt, its not necessary.

 

Maybe the problem wasn't the head gasket. Did the head gasket look bad?

 

Who told you to replace the HG? Thats who you should be pissed off at. On the plus side you can reuse your new HG when you remove the head to fix the valves.

 

U should have got the head rebuilt and inspected with a valve job its probaly a bad valve guide...my machinist carefully inspects it, does a valve job, resurface, replaces seals and rebuilds it for $175 i want to say thats what most machine shops charge around that price range

 

$175 is very cheap for all that. where u at? I need your guys number lol

 

must be a corporate discount wholesale price lol