First and foremost thanks for tending to my questions.

I have seen white smoke being emited from the tail pipe just after I washed my engine bay.
First when I saw the smoke I thought that the headgasket was blown.
We all know that white smoke = coolant/water
Then when I pulled the plugs, there were drips of water on them, I immediately remembered the car wash from the other day.

So we went on and did th test:
1: 235
2: 235
3: 250 ---->248
4: 242

Ok let me explain cylinder #3. The compression started at 250 then leaked to about 248. The first time we did it it started at 250 but then again leaked to like 220s but we think it wasn't screwed in all the way.
Either way, the 3rd cylinder leaked slight amounts of something, about 2psi worth.
We're figuring it to be a slight crack someplace around the cylinder, hopefully not a valve seal or a piston ring, but for that to happen wouldn't the compression keep dropping?

Tell me your inputs on this, especially the slight leak.
I'm not too worried yet I can always use a second opinion.

Thanks!

 

well, first off... the leak you are talking about is in the gauge... atleast my Compression guage kit and all the ones I have seen are a one way inlet.. pressure goes in and registers, the pressure you see on the gauge is not still in the combustion chamber, only in the gauge for the most part.

 

I wish my compression was as high as yours.
It went from 120 in the first cylinder all the way down to 50 in the fourth.
Stupid bent valves/headgasket.

Everything sounds fine.
I think the dif in pressure could be from your gauge.

 

So human/gauge error eh?

Your inputs are apperciated

Anyone else?

 

Good #'s Whats the setup if you dont mind me asking?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BauleyCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good #'s Whats the setup if you dont mind me asking?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks.
I PMed you my set-up

 

Your numbers look fine.

However, for them to be that high would indicate you have massive carbon build-up on the pistons.

Anyone else concur?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 976 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Your numbers look fine.

However, for them to be that high would indicate you have massive carbon build-up on the pistons.

Anyone else concur?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Carbon build-up, this is due to running rich I think?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 976 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Your numbers look fine.

However, for them to be that high would indicate you have massive carbon build-up on the pistons.

Anyone else concur?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes. Or some sweeeeet dome pistons.

 

Your numbers look fine!

Dont let them vary more than 20-25 psi. between cylinders. Or drop below 140.

What is the setup?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM-97CX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yes. Or some sweeeeet dome pistons.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah I got some sweet pr3s!!!
How bad is carbon build up...sorry if its a dumb question.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Louie_EM1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Yeah I got some sweet pr3s!!!
How bad is carbon build up...sorry if its a dumb question.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Carbon build up is natural.

It comes with time. It can be easy to clean using a carbon build up clearner. Spray into the t/b.

However, the numbers look good with the pistons you're using.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 976 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Carbon build up is natural.

It comes with time. It can be easy to clean using a carbon build up clearner. Spray into the t/b.

However, the numbers look good with the pistons you're using. </TD></TR></TABLE>
The pistons are stock and have almost 65k miles on em.

Anyways carbon-buildup cleaner isnt the same as carb cleaner is it, I am pretty sure it's not because wont that just sufficate the motor?
Where can I get this spray?
Thanks.

 

You can get the spray at any auto zone type place. You want carbon build-up cleaner, carb cleaner is for carborated engines, you have a fuel injected engine of course...

My bad, I though you had after market pistons. Yeah, give the carbon build-up cleaner a shot. Also, you might want to consider higher octane.

Good luck!

 

Try Chevron Techron synthetic fuel system cleaner. A 12 oz bottle cost $8-$10 a bottle. Good stuff. Run your tank to near empty. Dump bottle in tank and refuel with some good premium fuel. Good stuff..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00MRSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Try Chevron Techron synthetic fuel system cleaner. A 12 oz bottle cost $8-$10 a bottle. Good stuff. Run your tank to near empty. Dump bottle in tank and refuel with some good premium fuel. Good stuff.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree! Just because we're on the subject!

 

A compression test will only tell you part of the story. you won't get the full story until you have a leakdown done. A leakdown will show you without a doubt if there is something wrong. Remember with a leakdown 1-5% is nice for a new motor 5-10% is good for a used motor. (1% being the best because of the fact our rings don't completely seal.)

To answer your question, your compression numbers are within the +/-15 rule. The first few are pushing the ticket though (250-235=15).