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Subject:Re: compression
From:Sam Scholten
Date:Mon, 23 Mar 1998 06:18:20 -0800

---Scot Douglas <sdoug@CONCENTRIC.NET> wrote:
>
> Patrick Dooley wrote:
> >
> > >Here's the problem, just checked the compression today:
> > >
> > >1    100psi
> > >2    100psi
> > >3    150psi
> > >4    155psi
> > >
> > >My book says that the min is 118psi with a maximim variance of 44
psi
> > >between cylinders.
>
> I would suggest doing another thing while doing the second comprssion
> test before pulling the heads.  If you squirt oil in the cylinder
first,
> then test and the compression comes up, it's the rings; if there is
> little or no change in the compression, it's the valves.

Not to rag on Scot- his advice would be very helpful to those of you
checking compression in an inline engine. However, in a boxer engine,
there will be no change in compression no matter what happens due to
the fact that the oil will just go to the bottom of the cylinder.

Eric (VW4x4) wrote that the difference in compression is nothing to
lose your hat over. Since, however, the difference in compression is
way beyond specs, I would keep CLOSE track of how much oil the engine
uses over 1500 miles. Also, check out the residue in the tailpipe. A
black, thick, greasy smudge on your finger means the engine is using
oil.

How does the engine run? Does it fire up easily? How does it idle? If
it was rough, was that how you checked the compression?

Best regards,
Sam

=
"Punk's not dead (it just sucks right now)"
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