Author Topic: Compression test results good or bad?  (Read 2703 times)

Offline james_16v

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Compression test results good or bad?
« on: 10 April 2009, 17:37 »
Despite my best efforts at fixing my leaky hoses im still losing a small amount of coolant but no oil in water or vice versa. The car also (supposedly) had a new head gasket 4 months ago when I took the car to a garage to sort it out. Rather than get shafted again by another garage I bought a compression tester today and here are the results.
Cyl 1 - 170psi
Cyl 2 - 180psi
Cyl 3 - 190psi
Cyl 4 - 180psi
Test was dry and done on a warm engine.
What do you guys make of these results? 170psi seems a little low to me especially compared to 190psi but im no expert. Does this point to HG or should I be looking harder for pin hole leaks etc?
Cheers

Offline tyler

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #1 on: 10 April 2009, 18:02 »
on your engine your be looking at around 13 bar 188psi so the results aint too bad
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Offline danny_p

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #2 on: 10 April 2009, 18:42 »
1.3 bar  thats quite managable and within specks nothing to worry about, it's very rarely a used enigne bings back equal compression on all 4. 

 usual reason for differance like that is the runber of turns the engine made with the tester on,  they'll shoot up  inthe first 2 or 3 turns  but they will pump up further
all the VW's have gone bar 1.

Offline Wayne

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #3 on: 10 April 2009, 20:29 »
I would think thats ok to be honest.

Offline james_16v

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #4 on: 10 April 2009, 20:53 »
Thanks for the confirmation lads.
The readings all maxed out after around 4-5 seconds of cranking and I have a feeling that they would have crept up slightly had I kept cranking.
I guess this is good news in as far as I dont need to take the head off, but the search goes on for that elusive leak!
Last time I looked the rad looked a little flaky but seemed water tight. Maybe its due a replacement if only to rule it out.
Thanks again.

Offline topbloke77

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #5 on: 11 April 2009, 15:57 »
You could try some k-seal. Works wonders for this exact problem.
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Offline DOA

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #6 on: 13 April 2009, 16:33 »
Sounds a bit spurious but have you checked the level sensor in the expansion tank as Ive had a couple that leaked a little bit around the pins and have you replaced the cap as well (that was the reason for my level sensors leaking  :tongue:)

Offline james_16v

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #7 on: 13 April 2009, 20:45 »
You could try some k-seal. Works wonders for this exact problem.
Never heard of k-seal, is this similar to rad weld etc? ive heard a few horror stories about rad weld like it doing more harm than good and clogging up the coolant system.

Sounds a bit spurious but have you checked the level sensor in the expansion tank as Ive had a couple that leaked a little bit around the pins and have you replaced the cap as well (that was the reason for my level sensors leaking  :tongue:)
Yeah, replaced this a few months back when the coolant warning light was constantly on. TBH I changed all the usual suspects such as head gasket, tank cap, expansion tank, level sensor, oil cooler, a few split hoses. Im not overly worried now as its manageable coolant loss to what it has been of a dribble every week (250ish miles).
I havnt let it drop down much below the max line yet though so maybe the system is just finding its own level?
Or maybe im just just clutching at straws! :grin:

Offline danny_p

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Re: Compression test results good or bad?
« Reply #8 on: 14 April 2009, 00:26 »
head gasket issues will develop and you'll notice the coolany loss increaseing,  it's probaly a weep from somewhere  just keep an eye out for antifreeze residue  that'll give it away
all the VW's have gone bar 1.