Does anyone know why #3 cylinder has the most abuse. This is what I have experieced for 6 years on different engines(H22,F22 and all "B"series except the B18C5):
-spun bearing
-chipped or cracked piston
-hole in cylinder wall
-crack in cylinder wall
-lower compression than the rest of the cylinders
-burned valves (exhaust side of course)

I know a lot of you know what I am talking about. Everyone I have talked to doesn't seem to have the answer. Is it because the position of cylinder in relation to the flywheel?

Or is it because of where the air flow comes from(passenger side)?
Please let me know cause this has been a puzzle for the past 6 years and want to know why cause my machinenist doesn't know either.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

from larry at endyn (a discussion on EGT placement on #3):

#3 cylinder is "locked" between two cylinders (#2 and #4) and it doesn't cool as efficiently as the other 3 cylinders, so the EGTs will be the hottest from this location...assuming there have been no timing and mixture corrections. The reason that #2 doesn't run as hot is due to the cooling system design....which dictates that #3 gets warmer water around it than the others.

 

So there it is!! Thanks!! You have found the missing piece of the puzzle in my life.....I just want to cry LOL!!!

Thanks again!