low compression--what is it?

[JoshuaA.Conner@VerizonWireless.com (JoshuaA.Conner@VerizonWireless.com)]

I thought if the compression goes up alot on the wet test it generally meant
bad rings.  When you put oil in the cylinders doesn't it seal the
"looseness" of the rings?

Joshua C.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Abatzis [mailto:abatzis2@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 6:03 PM
To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
Subject: low compression--what is it?


i've had an oil leak of unknown source for 3months, and have recently been 
noticing poor power. finally cleaned the engine last week, and despite 
losing 1/2 qt of oil, the outside is still clean. i did a compression test 
today, with the following results:

215/220/230/100

yeah, the gauge has always read high (210-220 has been average across 3 
engines), but obviously #4 is the concern. plug threads were oily, but plugs

themselves weren't fouled. pistons from what i saw were gunky.  wet 
compression raised #4 to 170, but 1/2/3 also increased by 40-50 psi, so i 
don't know what to make of that. coolant has no oil in it.

so, what's up? head was replaced (with hg) maybe 6 mos ago, and had been 
recently redone apparently (brett c?). i'm thinking headgasket v. 
stuck/dirty valves v. leaky valve guides v. (less likely) rings/other bad 
stuff. any ideas, or how to better eval? btw, my car is way worse than yours

cathy.
tia,


-Michael Abatzis
Hotlanta! GA
1988 Scirocco 2L 16v RIP-->parting, finally taking orders: 
www.learnlink.emory.edu/~mabatzi/mikes_page1.html
1987 Scirocco 2L 16v...




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