The problem with compression tests is that there are too many variables.
Also, the throttle should be held open while cranking for max air fill.
A leak down test provides a much better indication of an engines
condition and by bypassing the gauge set you can hear where the leakage
is coming from.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Benny boy
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 10:04 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Compression? (PSI)

What is you're average engine compression?

We all know that we wish we had around 150-180PSI...but!
Most van i do are more in the 130-150psi area.

Am just curious...

The reason, this  van:
http://www.benplace.com/vanagon_engine6.htm

New heads, new rings, pistons and sleeve were within wear limits...
compression is 125psi all around...kind of low...valves at 1 turn in,
were a
2 but no difference in compression (of course), warm...slightly
higher...135, but still pretty low, this is a Syncro with 16in big
wheels
(doesn't help)...

This is the van that had (and still has) the very steady cloud of smoke
(fuel) at cold start...everything was swaped (distributor, OS, idle
valve,
control box, AFM...) with another good working van...for the exception
of
the fuel regulator and pump???  am slowly giving up on that van...  my
fuel
pressure tester was stollen by a customer so....

I will double check timing this morning but still...

Any good suggestions???

Regards, Ben