>> >
>> > >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.

>
>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?
>
Ok, checked the tailpipe, no oil, checked the oil level, it used about 1/3
of a quart in 750 miles and the engine has a small oil leak, but probably
not enough to use that much.  I did just switch to synthetic oil so I a
probably loosing some that way.  The engine runs great, it dosn't purr like
a kitten when ideling, but it is not rough either.  There is plenty of power
and it starts like a champ.  The thing that got me to check the compression
was while ideling, the engine seems to be a little off occasionaly, like it
is skipping a little bit.  I am currently going through the van repairing or
replacing anything that is defective because I am going to be making a cross
country trip next year and want to have a trouble free trip.  Of course, I
don't want to spend too ,much money and replacing the heads is an expensive
venture!!

Pete
peterz@gte.net
'83.5 Vanagon