cylinder...... leak %
....1---------- 2
....2---------- 8
....3---------- 4
....4---------- 2


On the #2 cylinder air was going pass the rings, which sounded like a normal amount compared to the other cylinders. However, air was also coming out the 3rd cylinder spark plug hole, as well as the other cylinders, but a very small amount compared to #3. I checked the throttle body and tail pipe and I couldn't hear any air.

Air coming out the adjacent spark plug hole, which was the situation in my case = bad head gasket. The problem is I don't have any signs of a bad head gasket. The engine doen't use coolant, I never hear bubbling in the system, and I don't see coolant in the oil.

Is it possible to have a bad head gasket and not know it?

thanks

BTW, this is on a 99 Integra with 36K, bolt ons only.

[Modified by Mac8008, 12:55 AM 1/27/2003]


[Modified by Mac8008, 1:10 AM 1/27/2003]

 

Yes you could have a slightly leaking head gasket and not have any coolant leak or compression going into cooling system. The gasket may be leaking in the narrow area between the cylinder bores. Retest with all 8 valves closed for 2 and 3 even if you have to take cams out to do it. If you still have air coming out of adjacent cylinder, gasket is leaking. This is what is called early stage of gasket failure and is hard to detect. Gasket will degrade very rapidly so you might as well know now before major damage is done.....3gdude

 

Doesn't look that bad. Was the engine warm, and was the oil cap off?

 

Yes, engine was warm. I only took the oil cap off to hear the air and put it back on.

In what sense do you mean, it doesn't look bad? I wish I had your perpective because to me, #2 looks like it's on its farewell journey.

 

agreed. plus trying reverse as well, i.e. leak from #2 sp hole while pumping #3

greg

 

When I tested the #3 cyliner, I only got a 4% leakdown, as posted in my original post. It was hard to tell if any air was leaving out the other spark plug holes because it was only a 4% leakage - very hard to hear.

 

When I did a compression test #2 was 15psi lower compared to the other cylinders. In other words I'm losing compression in that cylinder due to something.

 

ohhh god