Hey guys, yesterday i tested my compression to see what was up since i get a bit of white smoke here and there. so i went ahead and got a new compression tester and tested all of my cylinders and got these low *** funky numbers!!

1=125
2=128
3=125
4=125

can someone with some knowledge tell me if my rings are screwed or would you guys say it's my headgasket?!? i haven't loss any fluids as of yet and it's been a good week. i get pretty good gas mileage and i've also put on 2000 miles since the rebuild 2 weeks ago. think i'm okay or should i change the headgasket and rehone the cylinders??

 

did u : "Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. Tests done on a cold engine usually show lower readings.

Open the throttle fully"?

"If any cylinders are low then a "wet" test can be done. This involves squirting a few ccs of oil into the cylinder and repeating the test. The oil will help seal bad rings and increase the reading but won't affect it if the problem lies in the valves or head gasket.

If the wet test improved things back to a normal reading then the problem lies in the rings or bores. If not then its usually either valves or gasket not sealing properly.

If all cylinders show similar psi but are below the minimum figure then this usually indicates excessive ring and bore wear, (maybe) due to high mileage. A slipped cambelt can give a similar result though. Very low readings can be caused by bent valves.

During a leak down test you can also listen for where the air is escaping and this can pinpoint the problem to a valve, gasket or ring fault. If the leakdown test shows no fault but the cranking pressures are low then it must be a cam lobe or cam timing type of issue. The leakage rate should be very low if the rings etc are in good condition. "

let us know what u get. the above was quoted from an internet source.

 

only 2000 miles since a rebuild? what kind of piston rings are you using and are you burning coolant only?

 

how many times did you crank it? it takes 5-7 for my needle to stabilize. i always disconnect the fuel injector wiring and for me it doesnt matter if i hold the throttle open or not.

time for a leakdown test. get a 10$ spark plug attachment and a regulator (6-25$) and use your compressor to perform it. you can search for detailed steps.

 

Thanks guys, I have tried the compression test again this time at normal operating temp. and i cranked it until the tester would not budge anymore. all the cylinders landed withing the 145-150 range which was still low to me. we tested my buddy's dx hatch while cold and it hit 150 with no problems! so tomorrow i guess i will be trying to get a leak down test done and afterwards i will be changing headgaskets and taking out my pistons and rings and rehoning the walls to see if i can get them to seat better. do you guys think this is a wise idea??

 

b18a/b standard pressure is 185.. max variation is 28. lower isnt really bad but 150 is indeed kinda low. most that i know of average 190-200. well dont do those things until you do a leakdown to make sure what it is first

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by XDEep &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">b18a/b standard pressure is 185.. max variation is 28. lower isnt really bad but 150 is indeed kinda low. most that i know of average 190-200. well dont do those things until you do a leakdown to make sure what it is first</TD></TR></TABLE>

DAMN!! I called up Honda today and asked them to do a Leak down test...and the price was $120!!! ****-NITZ!! that's more than the tester itself!! Man, I'm gonna have to get myself one and conduct my own tests!!

 

What cam do you have? If it has a lot of overlap that can give artifically low compression numbers.