Hey guys, I did a compression test and got 180/60/150/175 (from right to left, standing in front of the car).

I didn't gap my rings, so it may be that...but if something's wrong with the head (maybe a valve) would that affect the compression? Is compression all bottom end?

Also, if a head gasket is installed upside down, and the car is started and idles for a few minutes, then the head gasket is installed properly the next day, could it be damaged?

Trying to pinpoint my problem before I take the bottom end apart.

Thanks,

Goldfingiz

 

Judging by your questions, maybe you should have a MACHINIST/ PROFESSIONAL
engine builder do your installs, I don't mean to sound crude, but If you just did this install, I doesn't sound good, AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!

 

Not to be rude myself, but I don't want to hear about the head gasket being installed upside down. It was 4 AM, we had been working for a long time, and it fits both ways. Honest mistake. A head gasket only takes 30 minutes to install anyway.

We do our own work all the time.

Goldfingiz

 

I kind of agree. But to answer your question, YES. If you tighten the valve adjusting screws all the way your compression is 0, and yes I have seen someone do this before.

 

Thanks sp We didn't touch anything in the head though =\

Goldfingiz

 

Rings don't come pre-gaped so if you failed to gap the rings your going to get really low compression numbers like that. You can also damage your cylinder walls by not gapping them but you never know untill you take the engine apart again. When you take the engine apart again you'll find out if the head gasket is damaged when you put it in upside down.

 

Thank you...what should I look for when inspecting the head gasket?

Thanks,

Goldfingiz

 

Compression can be lost through the head or the bottom end. The valves have to seat properly for the head to seal. The piston rings have to be installed properly for the bottom end to seal. As for the head gasket, there is a silver tab on the head gasket with numbers on it. The tab should be facing up on the right side of the engine in the front, where the transmission and engine come together.

 

Thanks guys The thing that's getting to me is, when I remove the dip stick, smoke comes out. Wouldn't this have to do with the bottom end? Or could it still be the head because air circulates?

Goldfingiz

 

Smoke from the dipstick sounds like excessive blowby. I would be looking real hard at the bottom end. Have your cylinders checked for roundness and also check your piston to cylinder wall clearances. Check your ring gaps and ring placement (the gaps should not line up); use a Helms or other reference for proper ring placement.

 

do a leak down, if ur geting air coming out of your oil cap its rings, if its coming out ur intake manifoild, intake valves, or from the exhaust mani, its exh. valves, and if your radiator fluid bubbles, with the thermostat out man uve got problems cracked gasket or cracked sleeves...... this is pretty easy to understand though theres a lot more you can do, but i dont think youre really looking for anything else. I know it might have been 4am but the fact that you said it takes you 30 min to put head gasket on scares me. Ive been doing this for a very long time and...i still cant do it in 30min. And rule of thumb never reuse a head gasket, especally after youve torqued it and started it.

 

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=352847

Not to be a dick, man...but we pounded it into your head that this was going to happen to you and you did not listen.

Oil smoke in the dipstick tube most definitely sounds like rings.

Sonny