This sounds like the cylinders got filled with oil and the compression
numbers and the fouling are goimg to resolve themselves when you drive it
You cant tell much from a cold engine other than its worth a shot at
starting and sorting out. you may need to replace the plugs more than once
and change the oil often while you sort it out to prevent the gas build up
in the oil
wait until the engine settles down after it been hot a couple of times then
preload the valves

goiing faster miles an hour with the radio on
I remain
Bob Donalds
Boston Engine Exchange

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonce Fancher" <streetbugs@WHISPLLC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 6:48 AM
Subject: Re: 1.9L still a problem child (update)

> im lost on this one as well. i will try adjusting the valves loose like i
> do for a type 1 motor and do another compression test. also im wondering
> if the cylinders
> had a bunch of residual oil in them when i did the compression test before
> install that it sealed evereything. the guy i got this from had R/R the
> rings and
> head gaskets a few years prior to pulling for a inline conversion. motor
> was fine on pulling but didnt have a compression check before pulled. im
> going to try
> and do a valve adjust tonight. thanks Jonce
>
>>You did a compression test after it sat on a crate for 2 years, and it
>>had up to 170 lbs. compression.
>
>>You install it.
>
>>The compression drops to 15 lbs.
>
>>How can this be?
>
>>Either a valve is hanging open, or the rings magically got stuck
>>somehow.
>
>>Back off the valve's and re adjust them first.
>
>>Then see if you have any better compression.
>
>
>
> Jonce Fancher
>
> 57 Single Cab
> 66 Sunroof Bug
> 66 Variant Squareback
> 71 Sunroof Bus
> 75 911S Sunroof
> 84 Vanagon "Godfried"
> 85 Vanagon Westi
> 2003 10 Passenger Sprinter
>
> Fancher's Upholstery Inc. -  www.fanchers.com
> Not-A-VW Club- http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jaransont3/notavwclub/
>