Sure, do a wet compression test on the low cylinder. Can't hurt after all,
and it's just one tiny step additionally.
I find slightly leaking exhaust valves on them all the time.
The pistons and rings are quite robust in my experience..........and the
heads are the weak area.

I'm doing leak down tests more now........really works well.  You get to
find out exactly where the leakage is.
I just leak down tested a 2.1 engine with AMC heads on it that don't look at
old at all............two exhaust valves were leaking badly.
those cylinders showed 20 % 'pressure retention'.
The two good cylinders were holding 80 % of the air pressure put into them.
In general, all used waterboxer engines, unless pretty fresh, need head
gasket work, and at least some valve freshening up.

I seriously doubt the noisy lifters are contributing to low compression.
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Max Wellhouse" <dimwittedmoose@CFU.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 11:37 AM
Subject: Seldom used 2.1 has low compression

> Started up an 86 2.1 the other day to test compression to determine
> its future and 2,3,and4 were all in the 135-145 range, but #1 was at
> 90.  Motor doesn't run all that well, so it's hard to tell and it is
> dealing with the noisy lifters issue.  I'm curious if it's possible
> that the lifters are sticking and creating the low compression, or
> whether I need to move on to a leak down test and/or squirt oil in
> the cylinder to see if the compression goes up.
>
> Any thoughts?  I know Bob would've had the answer.
>
> DM&FS