Compression problem?

[solarized]

88' PB Golf GTI 8v 113k miles

Hi All,

Did a compression test on my golf and cylinders 1, 3 and 4 were all 13 bar. Cylinder 2 however was only 11 bar. Car don't smoke, runs fine apart from an occasional dodgy idle, and there's no sign of head gasket failure - no leaks, no oil or water contamination, overheating etc. Anyone got an explanation for this, preferably one that ain't gonna have me reachin' for the cheque book! Haynes says permissable difference is 3 bar - I'm under this, just wondered if I should be concerned.
Cheers.

[Rain]

its not so bad shouldnt cause any problems but it looks like its going down the expensive road so just keep an eye on oil and water consumption.

[workhorse '90 8v]

I got given this stuff called 'engine restore', a tin of it, you add it when you do an oil change.
Says on the tin - will restore lost compression ..

All the bumff that comes with it is pretty convincing. I havent tried it yet.

You can find it on ebay (of all places) and advertised in some motoring mags..

worth a go (maybe )

[solarized]

Cheers for that, but don't fancy stickin' something in me engine I know nothing about - ta anyway. Am I right in thinking that if it was head gasket on it's way out, I'd see a loss of compression in one of the cylinders either side also? There's no leaks, no oil or water loss, and no smokey exhaust.

[Mr Blue]

I think your engine is fine if it runs well and doesnt drink water or oil. keep and eye on water and oil.

nothing to panik about.

[golfgti818]

Head gasket can blow on just one cylinder and they normally do. Eventually the loss of compression from that one cylinder deteriorates and it will give you other symptons you dont have yet oil in coolant and overheating. Having said that i dont think your readings are alarming and i think its probably playing on your mind more than anything. Jut drive it normally and check it in a couple a weeks to see if its worsened.