I'm about to buy a '89 civic dx hatch.... runs fine, few problem but nothing major. The only thing that's really bad is the compression: 180 140 180 180. When I pulled the sparkplugs, the one in the low cylinder was pretty well covered in oil. Would I be correct to assume that it would be the rings? The motor runs like a champ (for a 1.5L, 4 speed), and he says it burns a quart of oil every 3 weeks or so. I can get this car for 200 bucks, so I'm thinking of dropping the oil pan, honing the cylinder in question and re-ringing it (as well as changing the bearings on that one rod) just to have a reliable daily driver. BUT, I don't have the tools for a leakdown test, and I'm concerned it might be something besides the rings... do I need to fear?

 

^^^

 

for 200 bucks, you really cant go wrong.

it could be the valveguides aswell

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by irev210 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it could be the valveguides aswell</TD></TR></TABLE>
Valve guides won't drop the compression pressure. They're outside the actual valve when it's closed. They might be the source of the oil, tho.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by irev210 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">for 200 bucks, you really cant go wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah... this is true.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JimBlake &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Valve guides won't drop the compression pressure. They're outside the actual valve when it's closed. They might be the source of the oil, tho.


Yeah... this is true.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes, yes, yes

 

I bought the car. I runs fine, and I can't see any smoke reving it up in neutral or while I am driving... and the compression is low in only that one cylinder. There was oil all over that one plug.

I just don't want to tear it apart and find out it needs $300+ in headworks on a motor that I could find for much less. I could probably get away with driving it as is and even passing emissions, but I want to fix it if I can without expensive headwork.

 

A leakdown test will tell you more.

 

I don't have a gauge for leakdown... I've got the #'s from the compression test in the initial post... its a cheap car and I want to keep the total investment at a minimum.

 

if it drives fine.. leave it!