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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: benji mk2 on 14 September 2007, 10:59

Title: compression test results
Post by: benji mk2 on 14 September 2007, 10:59
Just done a compression test on my 8v 2.1, results were:

1  dry 12  wet 13  bar
2  dry 12  wet 13  bar
3  dry 11.5 wet 13  bar
4  dry 12  wet 13.5  bar

 I have been suspecting the valve stem seals for a while, smoking at certain times, tear stain of oil below two of the plugs, using oil etc etc. Could anyone tell me if these results point to that or not? Also can the seals be done without removing the head?

 Ta  :smiley:
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: fused on 14 September 2007, 12:50
My mechanics did my '90 8v pb head, valve seals with the head in situ. I can check later today but I'm sure they removed the spark plug and manually turned the engine over untill the piston was TDC (so the valves couldn't drop to far) I'm not sure if they used compressed air to hold the valves up or not..... ? hmm got me wondering now!  :huh:

steve
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: benji mk2 on 14 September 2007, 17:53
any more info you can provide would be appreicated dude!!!! Cheers
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: monzablue16v on 14 September 2007, 18:45
They can do valve seals with the head in situ by using compressed air in the spark plug hole to hold the valve in place. not too much of a job to take the head of and do yourself tbh I did all mine when I rebuilt it not long back may as well do the head gasket whilst it's off as well. :)
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: yorkie on 14 September 2007, 19:07
You must be reading the gauge wrong, car wouldn't even run at 13psi are you sure you don't mean bar?

Won't be the valve stem seals anyway as at peak compression both valves will be shut.

I wouldn't worry about it, the readings are close enough imo.

You probably do have leaking valve stem seals as they all leak eventually but unless you are producing a James Bond style smoke screen and using a ton of oil I would'nt worry too much about that either.

Worn seals usually mean smoke when you lift off the throttle at high revs, is this what you get?
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: benji mk2 on 14 September 2007, 21:32
opps slight typo methinks, it was bar!!! what a dumbass

 tested it out today and it smokes a little under hard acceleration but if i floor it then back off i get a nice little explosion of oil!!! 

 I'm gonna phone machine mart tommorrow and order the bits, will try and do it with the head in place!!!! Doesnt look to bad but will i need to take the cam out???
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: rowlers on 14 September 2007, 22:05
take the head off - I found it easier!

Treid doing it with head on and it was just awkward and a pain! Far easier/quicker to take head off, although it costs a gasket set!
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: DarnPB on 14 September 2007, 22:32
Changing the seals can be done with the head in situ. You need to put the piston at the bottom of its stroke so that it is just about to start its travel upwards on the copression stroke. Get some cord in good condition and thread as much as you can into the cylinder through the spark plug hole. Then rotate the engine in direction of travel and the cord should force the valves against their seats. Then do the necessary with the valve stem seals. :wink:
Once finished, turn the engine the opposite way and remove the cord.
Be carefull not to turn the engine whist the valves are not captive or you will lose one. Then the head does need to come off.
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: rowlers on 15 September 2007, 09:01
see what I mean - its a ballache :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: clipperjay on 15 September 2007, 09:53
You must be reading the gauge wrong, car wouldn't even run at 13psi are you sure you don't mean bar?

Won't be the valve stem seals anyway as at peak compression both valves will be shut.

I wouldn't worry about it, the readings are close enough imo.

You probably do have leaking valve stem seals as they all leak eventually but unless you are producing a James Bond style smoke screen and using a ton of oil I would'nt worry too much about that either.

Worn seals usually mean smoke when you lift off the throttle at high revs, is this what you get?

Haa knew someone was going to spot that I just thought he decided to miss the zero on the end of that PSI.
thats what I thought the valves and compression is close enough after all 1.8 should be 9.5bar being a 2.1 13 bar is not bad, seen worse. :wink: 
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: DarnPB on 15 September 2007, 10:12
see what I mean - its a ballache :grin: :grin:

Even more of a ball ache when the exhaust studs snap!! :wink:
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: mk28vpb91 on 15 September 2007, 10:15
opps slight typo methinks, it was bar!!! what a dumbass

 tested it out today and it smokes a little under hard acceleration but if i floor it then back off i get a nice little explosion of oil!!! 

 I'm gonna phone machine mart tommorrow and order the bits, will try and do it with the head in place!!!! Doesnt look to bad but will i need to take the cam out???


I used one of these: http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=18043&MAN=Draper-Universal-Valve-Spring-Compressor (http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=18043&MAN=Draper-Universal-Valve-Spring-Compressor). The photo below shows part of it installed ready to use. You need an air compressor to pressurise the cylinder and hold the valves up. The stem seals can be very reluctant to move. Have not done the job by taking the head off so can't compare - it wasn't easy doing it the way I did it though and as the tool doesn't lock the valve spring in the compressed position it is useful to get some help when fishing out the collets.

I thought that readings going up after putting oil down the spark plug hole usually indicated ring wear. I used to get smoke during acceleration after running at idle (high vacuum in the cylinders draws in oil) for a while - new valve stem seals fixed that. (http://freespace.virgin.net/maxwell.taylor/vw_golf/Picture_383.jpg)
Title: Re: compression test results
Post by: benji mk2 on 15 September 2007, 13:13
well i've managed to get some new seals, the air adpater and a valve removal tool. However the tool that was recommended to me isnt available at my local machine mart so they sold me another one. It clearly says on the front of the box "tool removes valve springs without removal of the head from the engine". This is however is not the case, the heads gotta come off for this one to work!! Muppets. Gonna see what they can do when i ring em back.

 Back to the job tho, what will i need to do to ensure the timing is right when i put it all back on??????


 Cheers to everyone for the help, i'd be lost with out ya!!!!!