> The Bentley, page 15.16, gives the compression range as 406-493 psi.
> The engine in this Vanagon needs new rings at the least...maybe head
> work.
> -Dana-
>
> > Engine compression results from inspection done two weeks ago:  #1 - 340
> > psi, #2 310psi, #3 300, #4-300psi.  The mechanic said 300 or better is
> > what he would want in his van.

I wouldn't neccessarily go that far based ont the numbers alone.. A number
of factors go into the readings, i.e. accuracy of gauge, how many strokes
are measured, etc. I have taken the identical engine and tried the same test
with a different gauge, battery, etc., and gotten very different results.
But what didn't change dramatically between the tests was the "evenness" of
the readings between the cylinders, and that is a very important indicator.
300-340 is just over a 10% variance from one cylinder to the other; not
great but not horrible either.  I would be much more worried if the numbers
were high (even fantastic) on some cylinders but significantly lower on
others, i.e. 493/485/480/330.  How does it drive?  Does it lug up hills?
Does it smoke?  Does it act like a tired engine?

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215) 234-VWVW