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Date:    Sun, 21 Jan 2007 17:38:43 -0500
From:    Ben <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: Re: Opinions Please

Denis, i understand but what is the point? you have a problem anyway! it
need to be open, there is no way out, wile there, it's nothing to take a
look at the pistons or/and head. The only thing good about a leak down it to
tell the customer (or friend) the approximated price of parts, even then, if
it show a leak on the pistons side it doesn't tell you that the heads are
worned out or close to it!  the thing that people don't understand is a leak
down will tell you that your +- 400$ on a 3 to 5 k job. The time to go there
and open everything is practically the same. I don't even do compression
check anymore, i look at the engine, drive the van,  touch the engine for
vibration and i know.  What i'm trying to say is that with a leak down, you
can only tell that the price may be  bit higher.... or lower!

Cheers, Ben
>
Ben,
I have FIXED a cylinder with poor compression by just adjusting a valve!
This was an older vanagon with a lifter/valve combo that just didn't like
1.5 turns in - it had 90 PSI.   At .5 turns in, the compression went from 90
up to 150, within 5psi of other cylinders(these are high-altitude readings,
so its even more referenced to sea level).  Point is, valves totally closing
should be examined before rebuilding - one may not have to even pull the
head!

Now, admittedly, one does not have to do a leak-down for this -- but it
would have been faster and more accurate if I had done that vs. using a
compression test.

Rich